Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for February 2024

9 February 2024 12:11 pm | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

It’s full steam ahead around the Coromandel with the work programme ramping up to repair damage caused by last summer’s extreme weather across Coromandel’s state highway network.

From next week, up to 6 locations around the peninsula will have crews working with stop/go traffic management in place, and from mid-March up to 10 locations.

Crews starting Monday 12 February will be at Te Kouma Hill, Wharekaho, Kereta Hill and Pumpkin Hill. This work includes underslip repairs and drainage improvements, with further locations to be added in the coming weeks, says Acting Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Roger Brady.

“We paused all but essential activity over the busy summer holiday period to minimise disruption and give both Coromandel residents and visitors a break from recovery works.

“While the slip that closed SH25A was the most significant, there were another 50 sites with either major slip or flood damage, leaving the network in a fragile state.

“With SH25A closed for most of last year, we carefully managed and prioritised our work on SH25 to minimise further disruption to people’s journeys around the peninsula. Now the peak summer holiday period is over, and SH25A is carrying its usual volumes of traffic, people will see our crews working at numerous sites on SH25.

“We understand this will mean delays for road users and thank them for their patience. Coromandel’s state highway network remains vulnerable because of the unstable natural environment, and exposed coastal areas. Repairing the remaining damaged sites as quickly as possible is essential for ensuring network resilience,” says Mr Brady.

While the sun continues to shine, road workers across the rest of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty continue to make significant progress across other worksites.

With multiple chipseal renewal sites in various locations most drivers are getting it right through worksites, it’s disappointing to see some people speeding and putting others at risk, says Mr Brady.

“While a new seal is bedding in, speeding vehicles can flick up loose stones and other objects, which can be dangerous to other road users.

“Motorists also have less control at higher speeds. They may clip road cones and send them flying at our road workers or oncoming traffic - or lose control completely.

“Even when there is no one working on site, we may leave speed limits in place to protect road users from hazards they may not be able to see when driving at high speed.

Drivers should consider reduced visibility and the effects of temporary surfaces at night and in bad weather, as well as the safety of other road users, such as motorcyclists and cyclists,” says Mr Brady.

Motorists are encouraged to check journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link) prior to leaving on their journey for all the up-to-date information.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. Work in this area will become more evident as the Wairoa Road bridge is completed in preparation for its opening. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley is operational to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road is separated from SH2. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information(external link).
Cambridge/Moffat Roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until April 2024, major works require a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and all heavy vehicles over, trucks can use SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information(external link).
SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night, this week these are from Sunday 11 February to Friday 16 February (approximately 7pm to 6am each night) at Bayfair roundabout, Maunganui Road, SH2/Tauranga Eastern Link and SH29A/SH2 Te Maunga interchange. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress, and people are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. More information(external link).   
SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers.
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 2024. Over the coming months there will be an increase in heavy plant and machinery in the area. The safety of crew and the public is a priority, and the best way to ensure the safety of all parties is to temporarily close the shared path to cyclists and pedestrians. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road.
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The TELTR will close in both directions between 8pm and 6am each night for 2 nights starting Monday 19 February to allow for the installation of the watermain to the underneath of the Rangiuru bridge. A detour will be available via the Te Puke Highway. More information(external link). The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers will be in place until approximately June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Roundabout construction continues at Sharp Road with significant activity on the southbound lanes, Stop/go traffic management will be in place along with temporary speed restrictions overnight. During the day there will be intermittent stop/go in place which may cause longer delays, however, typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. At the Rea/Tetley, Lockington/Matahui and Morton Road Roundabouts there will be nightworks with resurfacing commencing on Sunday 11 February. Stop/go will be in place overnight with speed restrictions throughout the day.
Athenree Gorge: Shoulder widening in the Athenree Gorge has started and there will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions. At Apata Curves, road widening works is underway with lane shifts in place and stop/go traffic management.
SH2 Tahawai: Lane shifts, shoulder closures and speed restrictions are in place between Kauri Point Road and Stokes Road as services are relocated. These works are expected to be completed by mid-February.
Western tie-in (near Loop Road): Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, where utilities need to be moved. From 7am – 7pm on both Saturdays and Sundays for the weekends of 10-11 February and 17-18 February there will be stop/stop traffic management on SH2 near Loop Road to allow vegetation clearance to take place and utilities to be moved. A back-up weekend of 24-25 February will be used depending on weather and any other unforeseen circumstances.
SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing is underway at a number of locations on SH2 between Bethlehem and Waihī. Night works started at Wairoa Bridge and then continue through to Katikati, delays are expected. Night works will then start on the Athenree rest area and work back towards Woodland Road. Reseals between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa will result in some line-marking changes with wide centrelines installed, and passing lanes removed near Barrett/Plummers Point roads and Ainsworth Road.

Rotorua

SH36 Kaharoa: Road rehabilitation continues between Kaharoa Road and Te Waerenga Road. The work will continue between the hours of 7am and 5pm each day until Tuesday 13 February, with traffic management and speed restrictions in place. People should expect moderate delays.
SH30 Ātiamuri: Road rehabilitation continues between 7am and 5pm each day until Thursday 29 February. Temporary traffic management will be in place with stop/go temporary traffic management in place during work hours and will remain in place for 48 hours after works are complete until the road has been swept and line marked.
SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One and Two: Nightworks will restart Monday 19 February for Stage One between Tarawera Road and Iles Road. This includes some line marking on Stage Two near Basley Road and Tennyson Drive. This work will be undertaken at nights (7pm to 6am) and includes limit lines, fire hydrant/valve markings along the road and through the intersection. Work underway on the remaining section of Stage Two between Ōwhata Roundabout and Tumene Drive includes surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go temporary traffic management, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.(external link)
SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: The team is working on the final section of improvements along this section of state highway. Work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link).
SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction: The installation of safety barriers at the roundabout will commence Monday 19 February and is expected to take 5 days to complete. Works will take place between 9am-4pm with temporary traffic management in place including stop/go, lane shifts, and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected.
SH5 Rotorua: Round 1 of the UCI BMX Racing world cup will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 of February at Te Papa o Te Kauri BMX facility at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, near the SH5/30 Intersection. This is the first time a UCI World Cup level event has been held in NZ. There is expected to be more traffic in and around the area, which takes place between 9am and 5pm both days. There will be traffic management in place for the duration of the event.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

SH5 Napier to Taupō: Work is underway at multiple sites on SH5 to improve safety at high-risk curves. Construction work has started to widen the road shoulder at the intersection of SH5 and Marshall’s Bridge (north of Eskdale); while on SH5 at Te Pōhue (south of the passing lane) earthworks are underway in preparation for shoulder widening. While this work takes place, stop/go traffic management is in place and temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h. This work is taking place concurrently with Transport Rebuild East Coast’s (TREC) work to repair various SH5 sites. This includes repairs to the site near the underslip at SH5 Captain’s Culvert, which is currently underway. Traffic will continue to flow both ways, however temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h to 50km/h are in place at Captain's Culvert. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 30 minutes across the whole SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor.

Manawatū-Whanganui

SH1 Utiku: Road repairs are in progress with a view to restoring the road back to 100km/h by the end of March. Currently 2 lanes are open through the site at 30km/h, from time to time there will be stop/go traffic management in place.
SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, south of Raetihi with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. The road will be closed from 8.30am to 5pm for up to 5 days from Monday 19 February.

Waikato

East Waikato

SH25 Coromandel: From Monday 12 February up to 6 locations along SH25 will have stop/go traffic management in place due to recovery works – they include Ruamahunga, Kereta Hill, Te Kouma Hill, Wharekaho and Pumpkin Hill. From mid-March there will be up to 10 locations. While SH25A was closed last year, work on the wider SH25 Coromandel state highway network was carefully managed to minimise disruption, now SH25A is open, this essential work must be completed. More information(external link).
SH25 Whiritoa: Road rehabilitation continues south of Parakiwai Quarry Road until late-February. During this time stop/stop traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place between 7am and 6pm each day. Delays are to be expected.
SH27 Waharoa: From Monday 19 February safety upgrade work will begin on SH27 between Walker Street and McGowan Street and is expected to take up to 6 weeks to complete. During this time, SH27 will be open to traffic, under stop/go traffic management. Access to Walker Street will be closed between Monday 19 February until Friday 8 March and access to Pitt Street will be closed for the duration of works. Car parks on SH27 will be inaccessible, however the rest area and car park across the road from the Pitt Street intersection will remain open and a safe crossing will be provided. Minor delays are to be expected.
SH27 Mangatarata: Between Monday 12 February and Friday 1 March, stop/go traffic management will be in place while work on installing a southbound side barrier, new signs and line marking (including rumble strips) is underway. At times, there will be nightworks between 7pm and 6am, and a reduced speed limit.
SH29 Hinuera: A full road closure of SH29 at Hinuera is in place weekdays, between 6am and 6pm, until Monday 26 February. A detour is available westbound via SH27, then left onto Puketutu Road, then left onto Hinuera Road, Hopkins Road and back on to SH29 and vice versa travelling eastbound. Minor delays are expected. More information.(external link)

Central Waikato

SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations into repair options take place.
SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is underway for safety barrier installation along a 6.9km section of SH1, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction. Stop/go is now in place 24/7 at a narrow section where safety barriers cannot be used. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.
SH1 Maroa Road: The 4.8km site is currently operating at 100km/h until finishing works for the safety barrier installation resume later this month.
SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation continues between Napier Road and the airport roundabout. Speed restrictions will be in place, with completion expected to be mid-2024. More information(external link).
SH5 Wairakei: Road rehabilitation near Palmer Mill Road is taking place in 2 stages:
- Stage One: Ongoing until mid-February. Work will take place Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with stop/go traffic management in place and temporary speed limits. Outside of these hours both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.
- Stage Two: Work will start Monday 19 February, continuing until mid-March. Work will take place from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with stop/go traffic management in place with temporary speed limits. Outside of these hours both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.
SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place.
SH1 Desert Road – stop/go: Road construction on the Desert Road on two sites at Oturere and Puketarata continues until mid-February. Stop/go traffic management is in place between 6am and 6pm, along with a temporary speed limit. Minor delays are expected.
SH1 Desert Road – night closures: Pavement rehabilitation night work at multiple locations along SH1 Desert Road will require road closures. Work will begin at 6pm Sunday 11 February and will take approximately 5 weeks to complete (weather permitting). Between 6pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday nights, SH1 will be closed between Waiouru and Rangipo. There will be a detour in place via SH46, SH47, SH4 and SH49, back to SH1 and vice versa. This detour adds approximately 35 minutes to travel time. Outside these hours (including all day on Friday and Saturday) both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.

West Waikato

SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with another block of night-time closures ahead. Northbound closures: 11-22 February, Sunday to Thursday, 7pm-5am. Southbound closures: 25 February to7 March, Sunday to Thursday, 7pm-5am. The northbound detour takes SH1 traffic via Ngāruawāhia on the old highway between the Horotiu and Gordonton Road interchanges. HPMVs must use SH1B, and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27, under an existing overweight permit. The southbound detour uses to SH1B, with light traffic rejoining SH1 via Lake Road. Heavy vehicles (50 tonnes and above) must continue on SH1B, including the local road detour around Telephone Road, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hamilton. More information(external link)
SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: While remedial work has been completed the repairs need to bed in before final surfacing starts on Tuesday 2 April. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h remains in place until the final surfacing is completed.
SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Contractors are on site, constructing the access road, undertaking drainage works and installing environmental controls. Temporary traffic management is in place, including shoulder closures and lane shifts, please follow the instructions of the team on site and any temporary traffic signage. Traffic delays are expected during construction in this area and an increase of vehicle movements including truck and trailers carting material to site. More Information.(external link)
SH1 Karāpiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed mid-2024. The main construction work involves 1.5km of shoulder widening, temporary barrier installation, earthworks and pavement construction, followed by surfacing, lighting and permanent barrier installation. During the majority of the construction the slow (left-hand) lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road will be closed, and the worksite will be under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. Access in and out of Kentucky Road will remain open. Construction is expected to be finished by late June.
SH1 Karāpiro (Gorton Road): The construction of a turnaround bay at Gorton Road continues and will be followed by another at Tunakawa Road. While construction crews are onsite, there will be no right turn onto Gorton Road (Monday to Friday, 24/7). This means that southbound traffic wanting to access Gorton Road will need to travel to the new turnaround bay at Keely’s Reserve to change direction. This will add around 4-6 minutes to your journey. The right turn in will reopen during the weekends and on public holidays. The left turn onto Gorton Road and left and right turn onto SH1 will remain for the duration of construction, with a stop sign rule applied. More information.(external link)
SH3 Ōhaupō: The Waipā District Council led Ōhaupō Village pedestrian safety improvements are underway and are expected to be complete by late February. During this time lane shifts and stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.
SH23 Raglan: Preparation works including kerb, channel and drainage will start near Maungatawhiri Road on Monday 12 February, between 7am and 5pm each day, and continue until Saturday 24 February. From Sunday 25 February, SH23 will be closed overnight between 9pm and 5am between houses #4095 and #4180, this is to enable crews to remove existing road layers and replace them. Vehicles will be allowed through the worksite at 9.45pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am. The work is expected to be completed in early March. More Information(external link)
SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

North Waikato

SH2 Pokeno: Slip repairs will be carried out from Sunday 11 February to Tuesday 12 March between 7am and 7pm outside Max Birt Sawmills, Pokeno (1.5km from the SH1 Southern Motorway onramp). During this time there will be speed reductions in place and road layout changes. More information(external link)
Nikau Road to Bombay interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Sunday 11 February between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.
Island Block Road to Dragway Road: There will be a full southbound closure on Tuesday 13 February between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.
Hampton Downs to Te Kauwhata: There will be a full southbound closure on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 February between 9pm and 5am for resurfacing. A detour will be available via Whangamarino Road.

Taranaki

SH3 Awakino: Final surfacing continues. Stop/go traffic management will be in place, with delays of up to 15 minutes expected. Work is expected to be complete by the end of March 2024.
SH3 Uruti: Slip repairs continue at SH3 Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network. The site will be run under stop/go traffic controls 24/7 with delays of approximately 10-15 minutes for the duration of construction.
SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: From Saturday 3 February until mid-June, Princess Street will be closed between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue to everyone except residents while roadworks continue. People travelling to or from Waitara via Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street. Both lanes of SH3 are open, and a temporary roundabout will be in place at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection, with the current traffic lights removed. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024 More Information(external link)
SH4 Paroparowhero Culvert Replacement: Work to repair damage from heavy rainfall on SH4 north of Taumarunui, between the intersection of SH43 and Okahukura Bridge Road will continue until June 2024. The repair work involves a temporary lane to maintain traffic flow under 24/7 e-light stop/go controls, while crews install a 3.5 x 4 metre box culvert. The work is scheduled to take approximately six months, weather permitting. Road users are asked to plan ahead for delays of up to 15 minutes in this area.

For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated.

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)).

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.

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