Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for August 2022

19 August 2022 9:35 am | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

With many areas of the motu experiencing significant rainfall, and with more expected to fall over the coming week, contractors are keeping a close eye on conditions to ensure the state highway network remains safe and accessible.

Maintenance crews will be out across the network on a regular basis, repairing issues or making areas safe, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.

“As we have seen during recent weather events, conditions on the road network can change quickly, and our teams are ready to respond as required. Repairs will happen as quickly as possible, and in some instances we may need to install traffic management to ensure the safety of road users and our crews.

“While repairs continue at sites impacted by previous events, such as those near Motu River Bridge on SH35, and near Matawai on SH2, contractors are also resourced to manage any new issues that arise.

“With significant rainfall predicted for next week we recommend drivers check the Journey Planner before heading out to ensure they have the latest up-to-date information on road conditions,” says Ms Lauder.

Journey Planner(external link)

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities are taking place between Te Puna and Bethlehem. This includes stop/go traffic management in place at Wairoa Road, and a number of shoulder closures and temporary speed limits. More information(external link)
SH2 Bay Link: Drivers are reminded of the new layout at the Bayfair roundabout. For people approaching the roundabout from Matapihi, the left lane is now a left turn only and the right lane is for traffic going straight through and turning right. There are single lane closures coming up on SH2 southbound immediately prior to the Bayfair roundabout and extending towards Exeter Street, to allow construction activities around the southern ramp of the Bayfair flyover to take place. These will be in place from 3am to 3pm on Sunday 21 August, and again from 7pm to 7am on Monday 22 August, Tuesday 23 August and Wednesday 24 August (with a contingency day of Thursday 25 August if required). More information(external link).
SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A section of the Kopurererua Valley cycleway is temporarily closed while services are relocated alongside SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. While this work is underway there is a reduced speed limit of 80km/h in place. This work is expected to be completed in September. More information(external link).
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): Traffic on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, continues to be down to one lane in either direction until Monday 3 October. This is to allow the installation of a culvert across the TELTR, which will enable earthworks in preparation for the construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange. Speed is reduced to 70km/h through the work site. Under normal circumstances, we anticipate any delays to be less than one minute. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Tanners Point Road to Tuapiro Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected. From Monday 22 August, retaining walls will be constructed between Apata Station Road and Esdaile Road. Stop/go traffic management is in place outside of morning and evening peak traffic, from 9am-4pm until early-September. Light vehicles can take an alternative route via Wainui South and Esdaile Road. There are currently no right turns to Tetley Road and limited right turn options to Rea Road. Detours routes are available, please follow the signs and directions of the traffic management team. More information(external link).

Rotorua

SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park to excavate the shared service trench for the relocation of underground services and installation of the new watermain. More information(external link).
SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Intersection safety improvements are commencing soon. Early works include hydro-vac investigation work identifying underground services and clearing vegetation. While this work is underway there will be a reduced speed limit of 30km/h through the site, lane shifts and off-peak shoulder closures. Traffic will be maintained in both directions however the works may cause minor traffic delays. More information(external link).
SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. During the day and when the crew are on site, either two lanes will be open or stop/go will be in place – depending on the works. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h applies. Outside of work hours and when the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. There are also ongoing shared path works between Mourea Bridge and Ōkere Falls. Weather permitting, the finishing works will include sealing, installation of the remaining refuge islands and re-installing the side barrier between Mourea Bridge and Hamurana Road. Traffic management will be a combination of shoulder closures and stop/go as required to carry out the works safely. More information(external link).

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH35 Motu River: 24/7 single lane access has been reinstated, with traffic signal control in place, along with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Works will continue until the end of August. More information(external link).

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

SH35 Kopuaroa: The site remains under stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h at all times.A long-term solution for the site is currently being designed, and construction is planned to start in early spring. More information(external link).
SH2 Matawai (east of Waioeka Gorge): A single lane is open under stop/go traffic management while contractors work to clear a large slip. Works to reinstate the road to full width are expected to continue until late-September. More information(external link).
SH5 Te Haroto (between Taupō and Napier): Due to a dropout, the road is down to one lane with a 50km/h speed restriction and temporary traffic lights in place. Work to re-instate the road to two lanes is expected to be complete in October. More information(external link).

Waikato

Central Waikato

SH1 Ātiamuri: Safety improvements on a 4.5km stretch of SH1 between Maroa Road and Tram Road, south of Ātiamuri, are continuing. A 50km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the site at all times and stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit may also be used at times between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday. More information(external link).

West Waikato

SH1B Puketaha: SH1B east of Hamilton is closed at the southern end of Telephone Road while options for its long-term future are investigated. Detour via Holland Road, Waverley Road and Seddon Road. More information(external link).
SH3 Te Kūiti: Work is taking place to make the entrance to Te Tokanganui-a-Noho marae safer for pedestrians to cross State Highway 3 Awakino Road. As of Monday 22 August traffic heading east on State Highway 30 will need to detour north along Carroll Street, cross the railway line on Ward Street and then head south on Rora St. The same detour will apply in reverse for westbound traffic. The project is expected to be complete end of September. More information(external link).
SH30 Kōpaki: A localised drop out between Kōpaki Road and Ohirea Road means temporary traffic lights are in place to control traffic, along with a temporary speed restriction of 30 km/h.Repairs are complete at a slump near Kōpaki Bridge, however this site remains under stop/go traffic management, along with a temporary speed restriction of 30km/h. Truck drivers are reminded that the existing Kōpaki rail overbridge has a maximum weight limit of 6 tonnes. If compliance with the load restriction doesn’t greatly improve, the potential risk to both road and rail users will force us to close the road to all traffic. The detour route between Maniaiti/Benneydale and Te Kuiti is via Kōpaki Road and State Highway 4.
SH4 Taumarunui: Following storm damage, a section of road north of Taumarunui is under stop/go traffic management, controlled by traffic signals. Enabling works have commenced, and plans for the long term repair of this road are currently being designed.

North Waikato

SH1 Hampton Downs: Southbound and northbound lanes of the expressway will be without lighting until November, while work continues on upgrading the state highway. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction as safety improvements are made to the road, bringing it up to 110km/h design and safety standards. People are asked to take care when driving through the site by following the posted speed limit of 70km/h. More information(external link).
SH1 Meremere: Multiple maintenance activities will take place between Island Block Road and Mercer on Thursday 25 August and Sunday 28 August. Work will take place between the hours of 9pm and 5am each night. One lane of traffic will be available in each direction on SH1, utilising the southbound lanes.
SH1 Mercer: Multiple maintenance activities will take place between Mercer and Pokeno Road on Tuesday 23 August and Wednesday 24 August. Work will take place between the hours of 8.30pm and 5am each night. One lane of traffic will be available in each direction on SH1, utilising the southbound lanes.
SH1 Pokeno: Multiple maintenance actvities will take place between Pokeno Road and Nikau Road on Sunday 21 August and Monday 22 August. Work will take place between the hours of 10pm and 5am each night. One lane of traffic will be available in each direction on SH1, however the SH1 northbound to SH2 eastbound link and SH2 westbound to SH1 northbound link will be closed.Additionally, the northbound on-ramp at Helenslee Road will be closed for surfacing work on Sunday 21 August between 9pm and 5am. Detours will be in place

Taranaki

SH3 Piopio: A slip has the road down to one lane, which is being controlled by traffic lights. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected. More information(external link).
SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: Stop/go controls are operating daily, with delays of up to 15 minutes expected. The lane closure allows for Bypass enabling works. More information(external link).
SH3 Awakino: A slip has the road down to one lane under stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit. There are various other slips in the gorge that are currently not affecting traffic, however drivers are asked to drive with caution, and expect delays at the single lane section.
SH3 Waitara: Due to wastewater maintenance, northbound light vehicle traffic is being detoured via Waitara. Heavy vehicles and all southbound vehicles continue to use SH3 under stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit. Delays of between 5-10 minutes can be expected.

Some of the above works are weather dependent and may be postponed in the case of poor weather. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website.