As people continue to make the most of the fine weather, they will notice road contractors also taking advantage of the hot, dry conditions to advance the significant maintenance programmes across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway network.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and its contractors are completing an ambitious programme to improve safety and resilience of the network and it is important that contractors make the most of the summer months in which they are able to reseal and re-construct roads, says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.
“Some areas can only be resealed within specific windows due to the micro-climate conditions and we are also trying to complete major works before schools return and traffic volumes return to normal,” says Mr Brady, “Currently contractors are working hard to complete a number of high-profile sites ahead of the Auckland Anniversary Weekend, when most sites will be shut down or completed by midday Friday 28 January, before works re-commence at 9am Tuesday 1 February.
“One thing that has come to our attention is reports of a number of our crews across the region experiencing abuse from travelling motorists, as well as items such as drink bottles being thrown from moving vehicles.
Crews are working hard in hot conditions, and while we realise the delays can be frustrating, this behaviour in not acceptable. Our key focus is to keep people using the roads and our contractor crews safe. If necessary, Police will be notified.
Visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for up-to-date information for your journey.
Journey Planner(external link)
Bay of Plenty
Western BOP
- SH2 Takitimu Drive/Waihī Road overbridge: A 500m section of SH2 Takitimu Drive under the Waihī Road overbridge is reduced to one lane in each direction until approximately the end of January, and the Waihī Road/Takitimu Drive on-ramp and off-ramp (Koromiko Street) is closed with detours in place.
Resurfacing works are progressing well; with traffic volumes increasing as people return to work delays of 10-15 minutes can be expected during peak times. More information(external link).
- SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: The eastbound lanes between Pāpāmoa and Paengaroa will be closed between 6am and 1pm on Saturday 22 January as part of the cycle route for the Mount Festival of Multisport. The alternative route for motorists during this time will be via the Te Puke Highway.
Please be advised there will be one active traffic management site and a 30km/h temporary speed limit as part of the Kaituna riverbank strengthening works, near Te Puke. More information(external link)
- SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works at four active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lund Road to Sargent Drive and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. More information.(external link)
- SH29A Matapihi: Contractors will be removing vegetation that is encroaching on power assets adjacent to SH29A in Matapihi on Saturday 22 January. An eastbound lane will be closed between 9am and 4pm.
Rotorua
- SH36 Rotorua to Tauranga: Night time closures of SH36 between Hamurana Road (Rotorua-Tauranga turn-off) and Te Matai Road will be in place between 7pm and 5am until Thursday 27 January to carry out chipseal, asphalt and drainage works.
- SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā: Remaining road widening and further barrier installation, landscaping and road rehabilitation are underway. These works are expected to be complete late-February 2022.
- SH30 Te Ngae Road, Iles Road to Basley Road: Construction for the SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two is expected to start in late-January / early-February 2022. Traffic management will be in place.
- SH33 Maniatutu: Chipsealing work will be undertaken between Allport Road and Maniatutu Road on Sunday 23 and Monday 24 January.
- SH30 Horohoro: Road rehabilitation works commence on a 500m section of road between Collier Road and Apirana Road. Works will take place between 6:30am and 6:30pm, from Monday 24 January until mid-February. At times temporary traffic lights will be utilised overnight, with 5-10 minute delays expected when these are active.
From Monday 24 January four chipseal sites will be undertaken between Collier Road and Nicholson Road
Eastern Bay of Plenty
- SH2 Waioeka Gorge: HPMV strengthening work on four bridges in the Waioeka Gorge started 17 January 2022 and will continue through to April 2022. The bridges are Owhiritoa Stream Bridge, Omaukora Bridge, Gibson Bridge and Sandys Bridge.
Chipsealing continues in the Waioeka Gorge between Waiata Road and the Gisborne/BOP boundary.
- SH2 Pekatahi Bridge Closure: Bridge deck repairs and resurfacing activities will take place between 8am and 4pm on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 January. During these times a detour will be in place through Whakatāne. On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 January the bridge will be open, but with a reduced speed limit, to allow the new surface to bed in safely. More information(external link)
Waikato
East Waikato
- SH29 and SH24, western (Waikato) side of Kaimai Range: Road rehabilitation works are progressing well and will continue on SH29 and SH24 on the Waikato-side of the Kaimai Ranges. Full road closures will be in place from 8pm – 5am on 23 and 24 January. There will be alternating one-way closures on 25, 26 and 27 January. During the alternating closures, westbound traffic may travel across the Kaimai between 9pm – 12pm, and Eastbound traffic between 12.30am and 4.30am.
- SH26 Paeroa roundabout: General maintenance work, including the installation of new hit sticks, will take place at the SH2/SH26 Paeroa roundabout in January. Peak traffic periods will be avoided.
- SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Night closures planned for February, details to follow. Peak traffic periods will be avoided.
- SH27 Mangawhero Stream Bridge: A detour is now in place on SH27 until 14 April to allow for the completion of new stretches of road either side of the new bridge being built over the Mangawhero Stream. Traffic will be detoured along SH29, Hopkins Road and Hinuera Road, adding around 3.7 kilometres to a journey between Tirau and Matamata. More information.
Central Waikato
- SH28 Whites Road (Te Waihou walkway access): Road rehabilitation work is underway on SH28 (Whites Road), between SH1 and SH5, and will be closed to through traffic until early March. The closure will be in effect on weekdays between 6am – 6pm. All vehicles will be detoured via the SH1/SH5 roundabout at the southern end of Tirau. The car park on SH28 that provides access to the Te Waihou (Blue Springs) walk will be closed during the works.
- Resurfacing SH1 Wairakei Roundabout: Resurfacing night works will take place on SH1 between Kauri Drive and the Wairakei River bridge south of the SH1/SH5 roundabout from 23-28 January and 8-11 February, 6pm – 6am. During this time four-way stop/go traffic management will be place.
West Waikato
- SH1 Karapiro: Chipsealing will take place on SH1 between Hydro Road and Gorton Road in Karapiro, between 7pm and 6am on Tuesday 25 January.
- SH39 Koura Drive: SH39 will be closed between the SH1/SH39 interchange and the SH39/Burbush Road/Te Kowhai Road roundabout from 8pm until 5am on Wednesday 26 January, to allow contractors to reseal both lanes. The road will be closed for a short period on Thursday 28 January to allow road sweeping and road marking to take place. More information(external link)
North Waikato
- SH2 Maramarua: Chipsealing will take place on SH2 between Maxwell Road and Monument Road in Maramarua. Contractors will undertake sealing between 7pm and 6am from Thursday 20 to Wednesday 26 January. More information(external link)
- SH1 Ohinewai: Work commenced on Wednesday 19 January to install roadside barriers and re-position street lights. Lane restrictions and temporary speed limits will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day. Work is expected to be complete in March. More information(external link)
Taranaki
- SH3 Awakino: Commencing Monday 24 January multiple crews will be working throughout a 14km stretch of SH3 within the Awakino Gorge, to complete seal repairs. Crews will be on site for two weeks, between 7am – 7pm Monday – Friday. During this time stop/go traffic management will be in place, which is expected to cause up to 45 minute delays, due to the length of the site. More information.(external link)
For 24 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.
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.
Journey Planner(external link)
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highways safe and resilient.
Third week of SH2 Takitimu Drive asphalt works in Tauranga:
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