Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for January 2024

12 January 2024 2:12 pm | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Safety improvements along SH1 at Karāpiro continue to be a priority this year, with contractors on site at various locations this month.

The highly anticipated roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and SH29 in Piarere moves into construction this week. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Jo Wilton, says many will be pleased to see work begin.

“The community and road users have been calling for improvements at this intersection and we are pleased work to deliver this project is now getting underway."

Meanwhile, this week, work continues on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, in preparation for median barrier to be installed.

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. Construction is expected to be finished late June 2024.

Further north our contractors are preparing to start the construction of turnaround bays at Tunakawa Road and Gorton Road later this month. Work will begin at Gorton Road on Monday 22 January 2024, followed by Tunakawa Road approximately five weeks later.

These turnaround bays are expected to be in place by mid-April, after which installation of the flexible median barrier from Tunakawa Road to Fergusson Gully Road can begin.

The turnarounds and median safety barriers will make this stretch of SH1 much safer, reducing the risk of head-on crashes.

Ms Wilton says with so much activity along this stretch of SH1, people should factor in more travel time, however delays are expected to be minimal.

“We have coordinated these works as best as possible but appreciate there will be disruption and ask for your patience as you allow more time for your journeys. The end result will be a significantly safer highway for all.”

For more information on the safety improvements on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere, or to sign up to receive updates, please visit the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere project page:

SH1 Cambridge to Piarere

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 we work towards completing the Wairoa Road bridge in preparation of 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 heavy 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 several road and lane closures at night. From Sunday 14 to Friday 19 January, road closures will apply on SH2/Tauranga Eastern Link and Maunganui Road between approximately 7pm and 6am each night. 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 between 8pm and 6am each night for 2 nights in both directions commencing Monday 19 February to allow for the installation of 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).

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Event: The eastbound lanes between Domain Road (Pāpāmoa) and Paengaroa will be closed between 5.30am and 1pm on Saturday 20 January as part of the cycle route for the Tauranga Half Ironman, which is part of the Mount Festival of Multisport. The alternative route for people driving eastbound during this time will be via Te Puke Highway. Westbound lanes will remain open. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Roundabout construction is underway at Sharp Road with significant activity on the northbound lanes with speed restrictions, there will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. A speed limit of 50km/h will be in place. In the Athenree Gorge, near Athenree Road, shoulder widening has commenced, there will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions. More information(external link).
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. SH2 will be reduced to 50km/h in the area during this work, and the passing lane heading west will be removed to allow the crews to work on the side of the road.
SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing will commence in the coming weeks at a number of locations on SH2 between Waihī and Night works will start at the Wairoa Bridge and then continue through to Katikati, delays are expected. Day works will then commence from the Athenree Rest area and work back towards Woodland Road.

Rotorua

SH36 Kaharoa: Road rehabilitation has commenced, taking place between Kaharoa Road and Te Waerenga Road. The work will continue between the hours of 7am and 5pm each day until Friday 2 February, with traffic management and speed restrictions in place. People should expect moderate delays.
SH5 Rotorua: Due to water main upgrades, lane closures will be in place between Malfroy and Devon Streets until Wednesday 31 January. Minor delays are expected.
SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work will begin on the remaining section of road between Ōwhata Roundabout and Tumene Drive, including surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. These works will require the entrance to Brent Road to be closed at a later date – advance notice will be provided. In January, multiple active worksites will resume and may include stop/go, 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 have returned to continue working on multiple sites along this section of state highway. Work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers, improving drainage and rehabilitation works. From January, temporary traffic management will be back in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link).
SH30 Kapenga: Road resealing will take place from Monday 15 January to Wednesday 17 January, speed restrictions will be in place with Stop/Go traffic management.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Ōpōtiki: Due to road resealing taking place between Union and St John Streets in Ōpōtiki on the night of Thursday 18 January, a road closure will be in place from 8pm to 5am. Temporary traffic management with speed restrictions will remain in place during the day until the road has been swept and line marking has been completed. A detour will be available via Union Street, Ford Street, and St John Street and vice versa.
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.

Manawatū-Whanganui

SH1 Utiku: The site is being actively monitored, and an altered road layout with various traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed restriction is in place.
SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing.

Waikato

East Waikato

SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Through the gorge the 600m section between Crown Hill Road and School Road has had its speed reduced temporarily from 80km/h to 50km/h. This section of the highway includes the entrance to the Karangahake Reserve, which is the starting point for many of the popular walks in the historic gorge. The temporary speed limit will be in place until after Waitangi Day. More information(external link).
SH25 Coromandel: Road resealing continues on the Coromandel Peninsula until Thursday 18 January. Stop/go traffic management is in place followed by speed restrictions for 2 days to allow the new seal to bed in, delays are expected.
SH24 Te Poi: Road rehabilitation work will commence on Monday 15 January between Te Poi Road and Stopford Road on SH24. The work is expected to take 2 weeks to complete, with road closures in place during the day and the road reopening at night from 7pm through to 6am. There will be a detour in place via SH29, Te Poi Road and SH24.
SH26 Morrinsville: Due to asphalt resurfacing, there will be a full road closure from Sunday 14 January to Thursday 18 January between Thames Street and Allen. The closure will be in place 24 hours a day, during this time a detour will be available for eastbound road users via SH26, Avenue North, Snell Street, Studholme Street, Coronation Road and Seales Road and westbound via SH26, Roaches Road, Kereone Road, Walton Road and Studholme road. The road will be open to residents, Fonterra tankers and HPMV’s travelling westbound through the worksite.

Central Waikato

SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations take place into repair options.
SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is under way for safety barrier installation along a 6.9km section of SH1 from Ātiamuri Village to Ohakuri Road. Work is taking place behind temporary steel barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction.
SH1 Maroa Road: The 4.8km site is currently operating at 100km/h until finishing works for the safety barrier installation resume at the end of January under speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management.
SH1 East Taupo Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation for 5km from Napier Road to the airport roundabout begins on Monday 15 January. Speed restrictions will be in place with completion expected to be mid 2024. More information.
SH5 Wairakei: Road rehabilitation near Palmer Mill Road will start on Friday 19 January and continue for 8 weeks, work will take place from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with Stop/Go traffic management will be 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.
SH4 Makatote: Road rehabilitation continues at the Makatote Viaduct between National Park and Tohunga Junction. This work is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. There will be road closures between 8am and 4.30pm between Tuesday 16 January and Thursday 18 January, and again from Tuesday 23 January to Thursday 25 January. When the road is closed a detour will be in place via SH49, SH1, SH46 and SH47, back to SH4 and vice versa. This detour will potentially add 1.5 hours to journey times. Intermittent stop/go will be in place between the hours of 6am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. More information(external link).

West Waikato

SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works have resumed, and night-time detours are planned, as work continues to bring the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway up to 110km/h standard. There is a block of closures, Sunday to Thursday each week, running from 14 January to early February. There will be detours in place, 7pm-5am each night, on the following dates:
Northbound: January 14 to 18, Southbound: January 21 to 25, Southbound: January 30 to Feb 1, and Northbound: February 4, 6, 7 and 8.
The detours are different for each direction due to roadworks in Ngāruawāhia town which prevent southbound highway traffic using this route as a detour. The northbound detour takes SH1 traffic via Ngāruawāhia on the old highway between Horotiu and Gordonton Road interchanges. HPMVs must use SH1B, and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27, under an existing overweight permit. Southbound detour traffic will use SH1B, re-joining SH1 via Lake Road, however 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/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Activity around the site will start to be visible from Monday 15 January onwards. Contractors will be setting up site, which includes constructing the access road, drainage works, and installing environmental controls. Temporary traffic management will be in place from mid-January, 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 (Keeley’s Reserve): The bulk of the work has wrapped up on the turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve in Karāpiro. The reserve has reopened to the public and the turnaround bay can be used. Due to a nationwide shortage, the streetlighting system is yet to be installed, this will be completed in February 2024. More information(external link).
SH 1 Karapiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed in early 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 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 2024.
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.
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

SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri section: Remedial works have finished, however this section will remain at 70km/h while repairs bed in ahead of final sealing later in the summer.
SH1 Pioneer Road to Mercer Interchange: Due to asphalt resurfacing, there will be a full southbound closure on Monday 15 January between 10pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.
SH2 East of Maramarua: Stormwater work will be taking place on SH2 between Steen Road and the SH25 Roundabout from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 January between 5am and 3pm. Stop/go traffic management will be in place.

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: Rock mesh slip protection work north of Mangamaio Road continues. Stop/go and stop/stop traffic management will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, along with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.
SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Due to ongoing safety improvement work SH3 is closed between Nelson Street and Bayly Street until 2 February 2024. The road is closed to both lanes of traffic at all times, with a detour in place through Waitara. More Information(external link)

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.

Journey Planner(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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