Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for February 2024

16 February 2024 2:58 pm | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Planning for your travel is essential while maintenance works continue on the State Highway 2 between Waihī and Tauranga.

The resealing programme for SH2 was always planned to be one of our biggest yet and this, coupled with our construction projects and traffic volumes, has resulted in unreliable travel times and people frequently experiencing delays, says Roger Brady Bay of Plenty acting Reigonal Manager Maintenance and Operations at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

“With students back at school and people back at work, planning is essential to ensure your journey is as straightforward as possible.

“For some people, working from home, travelling outside peak hours and allowing plenty of time can help take the pressure off the peak hours for people who need to travel,” says Mr Brady.

Maintenance works are expected to continue into March as we need to make the most of warm, dry weather before autumn sets in.

“The work is weather dependent and, where we can, crews are doing it overnight to minimise disruption,” says Mr Brady.

It's important to drive to the posted temporary speed limit during the day while new seals bed in. Please follow the speed restrictions and other traffic management plans in place as these keep road users and workers safe.

These reseals are being carried out alongside ongoing safety improvements and the Takitimu North Link project.

For all roadworks, please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management teams. Plan ahead and check Journey Planner before you travel: https://journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management is in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits is 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, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational to support the summer earthworks season. Temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information
Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until April 2024, there is 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
Waihī Road, Tauranga: Tauranga City Council will be undertaking asphalt resurfacing work working on Waihi Road from Tuesday 20 February to Friday 8 March, the SH2 on-ramp to SH2 Takitimu Drive will be closed during this time.
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 18 February to Thursday 22 February (approximately 7pm to 6am each night) on Maunganui Road (between Concord Avenue and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange), SH2/Tauranga Eastern Link and SH2/SH29A 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
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. 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 3 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
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: At Sharp Road, roundabout construction is underway with significant activity on the southbound lanes. There will be intermittent stop/go in place which may cause longer delays, however, typically there will be minor delays of one to 2 minutes.
SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway with lane shifts and speed restrictions in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, however typically delays will be between one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.
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 the end of February.
SH2/near Loop Road, Te Puna: Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, where utilities need to be moved. From 7am to 7pm on both Saturday 17 and Sunday 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. This week, night works will start on the Athenree rest area and work back towards Woodland Road. In the Athenree Gorge there will be line marking changes and lane shifts in place with speed reductions. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. Reseals between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa will result in some line-marking changes with wide centrelines installed (providing greater separation for opposing traffic), and passing lanes removed near Barrett/Plummers Point roads and Ainsworth Road.
SH29 Kaimai Range: The Kaimai Range will be closed from Sunday 25 February to Thursday 29 February, from 8pm to 4.30am to allow for maintenance to take place. The closure points on the western side of the Kaimai Range is at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern side of the Kaimai Range at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection. Detours are available for all vehicles southbound via Rotorua and northbound via the Karangahake Gorge.

Rotorua

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 between 7pm and 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
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
SH30 Nicholson Road: Road rehabilitation has started and will continue to Thursday 29 February between 7am and 5pm daily. Speed restrictions are in place, these will remain until the road has been swept and line marked.

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

SH2 Otoko: Starting Monday 19 February, plan ahead for 3 overnight road closures at Otoko, between Hihiroroa Road North and Fitzgerald Road, between 8pm and 5am each night. There will be escorted convoys each night at the following times and locations:
- 10.15pm and 1.15am leaving northbound from the intersection with Whatatutu Road
- 10.30pm and 1.30am leaving southbound from Matawai Village
  
  Convoys will only be allowed through at the times stated. The convoys are not suitable for oversized vehicles.

SH5 Napier to Taupō: Work is underway at multiple sites on SH5 to improve safety at high-risk curves. In addition, contractors are undertaking repair and routine maintenance work at various SH5 sites. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 30 minutes across the whole SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor. While this work takes place, stop/go traffic management is in place in certain areas, and there are temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h. Sites on SH5 where work is currently underway include: the intersection of SH5 and Marshall’s Bridge (north of Eskdale), SH5 north of Te Pōhue (south of the passing lane) and the site near the underslip at SH5 Captain’s Culvert. In addition, safety improvements may start on Sunday 19 February at the following sites, weather permitting: SH5 Tarawera slow vehicle bay and SH5 south of Te Pōhue.

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.
SH1/3 Bulls to Sanson: Between 6-8 weeks of full nighttime closures will begin Sunday 18 February for roundabout tie-in works. The section of SH1/3 outside Base Ohakea will be closed at night between 7.30pm and 6am Sunday nights to Friday mornings. The southbound detour for motorists (light vehicles) is via Tangimoana Road, Taylor Road and onto SH1. The southbound detour for freight (heavy vehicles) is via Tangimoana Road, Campion Road and onto SH1. The detour for all northbound traffic is via Fagan Road, Speedy Road, Tangimoana Road and back onto SH1/3. From Monday 19 February, the new roundabout will be open with a 30km/h speed restriction in place and uneven surfaces at times. During daytime hours (and on Friday and Saturday nights), all motorists will be travelling on the new road alignment. More information

Waikato

East Waikato

SH25 Coromandel: Recovery work is underway at several locations along SH25 to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. This includes Kereta Hill, Te Kouma Hill, Wharekaho and Pumpkin Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at all these 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 Ruamahunga: State Highway 25 at Ruamahunga, will be fully closed for short periods on Friday 23 February, to allow for a helicopter to safely operate over the road. The road will be closed in both directions for up to 20 minutes at a time between 12 noon and 2.00pm as the helicopter lifts equipment and materials to the top of the slope and brings down trees that have been cleared. After each closure, the road will be reopened to allow traffic to clear before the next closure. This work is weather dependent and if the weather is unsuitable, this will be postponed until the next suitable day.
SH25 Whiritoa: Road rehabilitation continues south of Parakiwai Quarry Road until mid-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 4 weeks to complete. During this time, SH27 will be open to traffic, under lane diversions and stop/go traffic management when needed. Access to Walker Street and Pitt Street will be closed between Monday 19 February until Friday 23 February at night. Car parks on SH27 will be inaccessible during this period, 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 at all times. Minor delays are to be expected.
SH27 Mangatarata: Stop/go traffic management will be in place until early March, while a southbound side barrier, new signs and line marking (including rumble strips) are installed. At times, there will be nightworks between 7pm and 6am, and a reduced speed limit. Minor delays are expected.
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.

Central Waikato

SH1 Lichfield: Road rehabilitation will start near Lichfield on Monday 19 February, continuing until Tuesday 5 March. There will be stop/go in place from 6am-6pm Monday to Saturday along with a temporary speed limit.
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. There will be daytime stop/go in place on Tuesday 20 February for road inspection purposes.
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
SH5 Wairakei: Stage two of road rehabilitation near Palmer Mill Road starts 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 Waiouru: Resurfacing is taking place south of Rangipo Street, stop/go traffic management will be in place during the day. Motorists should be prepared to stop on request and to expect delays.
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 require road closures. Work continues until Mid-March, 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 now underway. Northbound closures continue until 22 February, Sunday to Thursday, 7pm-5am. Southbound closures: 25 February-7 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
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 Ōhinewai: From Sunday 18 February to Tuesday 20 February chip sealing will be taking place at night, temporary speed limits will be in place during the day to allow the chip seal to bed in, delays are to be expected.
SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Work is underway constructing the access road, 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
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
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 continue, with work taking place between 7am and 5pm each day 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
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 are being carried out until 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
SH1 Hampton Downs to Dragway Road: There will be a full northbound closure from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 February between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.
SH2 Between Rawiri Road and Kopuku Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 February between 9pm and 5am, to allow resealing to take place. Reduced speeds will be in place during the day and night from 5am Wednesday 21 to 9pm Thursday 22 February.
SH2 Between Coalfields Road and Ferndale Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 February between 9pm and 5am, to allow resealing to take place. Reduced speeds will be in place during the day and night from 5am Tuesday 20 to 9pm Wednesday 21 February.
SH2 Between Monument Road and Dimmock Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place from Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20 February between 9pm and 5am, to allow resealing to take place. Reduced speeds will be in place during the day and night from 5am Monday 19 to 9pm Tuesday 20 February.

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: 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
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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