Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for January & February 2023

With rain forecast for much of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region over Auckland Anniversary weekend, road users are being asked to plan ahead to ensure they can make the most of their holiday.

While the majority of worksites across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty were shutdown at midday, weather related road closures are possible.

State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai has already been closed for the foreseeable future, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport System.

“Continued movement at this site, which first showed signs of cracking on Monday 16 January, has forced the closure. The road is just not safe currently, with the previously available lane deforming significantly this morning. We appreciate this will cause additional travel time for those holidaying on the eastern side of the Peninsula, however the safety of road users and our crews is paramount.

“We are also aware that other locations around the region are experiencing slips or other water-induced issues. Road users need to be prepared for delays, detours and other forms of disruption”

Even with the poor forecast traffic volumes are expected to be high over the weekend, especially on key routes to popular holiday hotspots.

“Our Holiday Journey Planner shows the expected peak traffic periods for routes such as SH2 towards the Coromandel from both Auckland and Tauranga,” says Ms Lauder.

Holiday Journey Planner(external link)

“It also pays to check the Journey Planner on the day, as there may be incidents on the network that affect the timing of the expected peak periods.

Journey Planner(external link)

“Planning ahead also means thinking about rest breaks. Once on the road enjoy the journey, take your time and reach your destination ready for a great weekend.”

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• One Love Festival: The One Love Festival takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January. With 20 thousand people expected at Tauranga Domain each day traffic volumes may be significant, with local road closures in place as well. More information(external link).
• Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities will continue between Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko including Cambridge Road, Harrison Road, Wairoa Road, Minden Road, Loop Road and State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. The new Harrison Road alignment will open with new seal and line marking scheduled in the coming weeks, when there is consistent fine weather. People may notice an increase in truck movements along Moffat Road over the summer months as earthworks ramp up in the Tauriko/Bethlehem area.  More information(external link).
• SH2 Bay Link: Asphalt work on State Highway 2 (SH2) underneath Te Maunga interchange and on Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) is scheduled to take place from Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 2 February and again from Tuesday 7 February to Wednesday 8 February. As required, a single, southbound lane closure on the TEL onramp (from the SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange) and on SH29A at the intersection with SH2 will be in place from 7pm to 6am each night. This work is weather dependent. More information.(external link)
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. More information(external link).
• SH2 15^th Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/15th Avenue and Cameron Road. Traffic management will be in place on the two northern corners, and there will be a reduced number of northbound lanes on Cameron Road. Minor delays are expected.
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project, a section of the TELTR, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, is reduced to three lanes. Whilst earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed applies. The inner westbound lane is open whilst work continues along the outside lane - the speed limit past the work site is 70km/h. This layout will remain in place until April 2023. More information.(external link)
• The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project has commenced. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h will apply through the site. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lockington Road / Matahui Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Pavement work to complete the Rea Road / Tetley Road roundabout will take place as soon as there is consistent fine weather. There is an unsealed section northbound of the Morton Road roundabout awaiting sealing. Minor delays are expected. More information(external link).

Rotorua

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park. Temporary traffic management will be in place with all eastbound traffic - including heavy haulage - required to turn at Marino Road and follow detours. Any local eastbound traffic at the Iles Road intersection will be required to take the right turn at Iles Road and follow detours. One lane of westbound traffic will be maintained from the Ōwhata roundabout to Iles Road, with a lane shift between 411 Te Ngae Road and Basley Road. Tennyson Drive is closed at the intersection with SH30/ Te Ngae Road. There is no exit from Basley Road onto SH30/ Te Ngae Road - detours are in place - and there is a temporary left hand turn into Basley Road from SH30/ Te Ngae Road. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and Basley Road is closed. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link).
• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Construction of safety improvements continue on the western side of the intersection, with a shoulder closure in place. More information(external link).
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. Temporary traffic management is in place, at time a stop/go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place during work hours. When the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. More information(external link).

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne: Pavement and utility site investigation work will occur during the week along SH30, between the SH30/SH2 and SH30/Shaw Road intersections. Work will be undertaken at night under stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit.
• SH2 Waioeka Gorge: An underslip at the road edge sees a section of road under priority give-way. Care is required when driving through this area.
• SH38 Waimangu: Asphalt resurfacing continues between Waimangu and Murupara until Tuesday 31 January, weather permitting. Work will take place between 7am and 5pm each day, during this time stop/go and stop/stop traffic management will be in place, along with a temporary speed limit. Delays are expected.

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. Main improvement works to realign the highway onto more stable ground are underway. Delays are to be expected. More information(external link).
• SH35 Turihaua: A temporary speed limit of 60km/h will be in place in and around the freedom camping areas between Turihaua to Pouawa. This will be in effect until 1 February
• SH2 Esk River Bridge: The bridge over the Esk River on SH2, north of Napier, has been reduced to a 30km/h temporary speed limit due to recent assessments identifying the bridge does not have capacity for sustained increased travel demands. Overweight vehicles are required to reduce their speed to 10km/h within their own lane, or to follow the restriction on their permit if it is lower. More information(external link).

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH4 Auraki Stream Road Retreat: Work to retreat the road away from a slip adjacent to the Mangawhero River is currently underway and is expected to be complete by mid-2023. For the duration of the works the road is reduced to one lane with traffic control operating under traffic signals. Works are generally undertaken away from the road, however there are occasions where traffic signals are used to keep drivers safe from hazards, with delays of up to 10 minutes. More information(external link).
• 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. Work to ensure the ongoing safety and resilience of this site is planned to start in the next couple of months, including the construction of three retaining walls north of the main slip area and the drilling and construction of two new dewatering wells. More information(external link).
• SH4 Kakatahi: Road reconstruction has commenced at a 300m section near Macintoshs Road. Stop/go traffic management will be in place Monday to Friday, between the hours of 6am and 6pm. Work is expected to be complete early-February. Delays are expected.
• SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: Ground investigations continue at a site north of Hawken Road.

Waikato

East Waikato

• SH25A Kopu-Hikuai: Following Cyclone Hale cracks have appeared in the road. Due to additional movement the road is closed over the long weekend. Updates will be provided regarding the future re-opening of the road once movement has ceased. Detours are via SH25 or SH2. More information.(external link)
• SH2 Karangahake Gorge: The speed limit throughout the 600m section between Crown Hill Road and School Road has been reduced from 80km/h to 50km/h, until after Waitangi weekend. More information(external link).

Central Waikato

• SH1 Lichfield: Road reconstruction work commences Tuesday 31 January near Puriri Road in Lichfield. Northbound light vehicles detour via Rollet Road, Paraonui Road and Wiltsdown Road. Northbound heavy vehicles will be sent past the site via stop/go traffic management. Work is expected to be complete late-February.
• SH5 Mamaku: Road reconstruction continues on the passing lane area within the Mamaku Forest Park area. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits are in place until mid-March while this work takes place. Delays are expected.
• SH1 Ātiamuri: Traffic continues to be managed through the 4.5km site where side and median barriers are being installed south of Ātiamuri. Both north and south-bound lanes are restricted to 50km/h with stop/go in place at active work sites. Pavement works and barrier construction will finish in April 2023. More information(external link).
• SH5 Reporoa: Road reconstruction continues outside the Fonterra factory. Work will take place between the hours of 7am and 5pm, six days a week, until mid-February. When works are taking place the road will be closed, with a detour via Reporoa Road and Settlers Road. This detour is suitable for HPMV and over-dimension vehicles.
• SH1 Halletts Bay– Road rehabilitation commences Tuesday 14 February. Due to the narrow width of the road there will be a full road closure between 9am and 2:30pm each weekday, for a period of two weeks. Either side of this time there will be stop/go traffic management, between 7am and 9am, and again between 2:30pm and 7pm.

At the same time asphalt resurfacing will take place in Waitahanui. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day for approximately two weeks. More information(external link).

• SH32 Tihoi: Chipsealing takes place throughout the week. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place during and immediately after works take place.

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).
• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia Section: Safety and remedial works restart from the night of Monday 6 February after a pause over the holidays. Temporary safety barriers will be re-installed, requiring night-time closures and detours. These start from the night of Monday 6 February for south-bound traffic. North-bound traffic will see closures and detours the following week. More information(external link).
• SH1C Hillcrest: Work has commenced at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place, and the roundabout has been reduced to one lane in each direction. Cambridge Road and Johnsview Terrace are operating as left in/left out only. This work sees the intersection changed to traffic light controls, and is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
• SH23 Dinsdale: Due to the Dinsdale Water Supply Upgrade project, traffic management will be in place around the Dinsdale Roundabout, Rifle Range Road, and the Rifle Range Road and Massey Street intersection until mid-February, dependent on weather and project progress. Full completion of the project is expected by late-April. The northbound lane of Rifle Range Road is closed to traffic. More information(external link).
• SH23 Raglan Deviation: Asphalt resurfacing work commences Sunday 12 February, for two weeks. Work will take place between Sunday and Thursday each week, during this time the road will be closed between 9pm and 5am, with openings at 11pm and 2am to let vehicles through. There will be a further series of closures in March to allow the application of long-life road marking.
• SH3 Glenview: Work has commenced at the Glenview Bus Hub, and this is expected to take three months to complete. Temporary traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place. More information(external link).
• SH21 Tamahere Interchange: Safety improvements under the Tamahere-SH21 Interchange continue with night works on Tuesday 31 January, Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 February. The site will be closed to traffic between 8pm and 5am with detours in place. All other work will be completed under traffic management during the day. Work is expected to be complete by early-February. More information(external link).
• SH30 Kōpaki: Due to safety concerns Kopaki Bridge is only open to local light traffic. The detour for all other vehicles is via Kopaki Road and SH4. More information(external link).
• SH39 Pirongia – Road rehabilitation and bridge repairs will take place at the northern entry to Pirongia, commencing Monday 13 February. A road closure for up to one week will be required when the rebuild is taking place near the bridge, detours will be in place, with heavy vehicles advised to use SH3. Outside this time period stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.
• SH4 Taumarunui: Following storm damage, a section of road north of Taumarunui, between the State Highway 43 intersection and Okahukura Bridge Road 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.

Taranaki

• SH3 Piopio: A slip has the road down to one lane between Mangarongo and Paekaka Roads, which is being controlled by traffic signals. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected. More information(external link).
• SH3 Awakino Bypass: Final surfacing works have paused for the holiday period. Work is expected to be complete late-February. Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be present when work is taking place.
• SH3 Awakino: A slip south of Awakau Road has the road down to one lane controlled by traffic signals 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 Tongapōrutu: A slip has the road down to one lane south of Tongapōrutu, which is being controlled by traffic signals. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected.
• SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: A 50km/h speed limit is in place across a 5km section of SH3 at Mt Messenger. Temporary traffic management measures will still be in place occasionally as required. 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 Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website - journeys.nzta.govt.nz

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