Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for July 2023

Significant repair work continues on a number of roads across the Waikato & Bay of Plenty region, as well as further afield, following recent extreme weather.

Some roads have been fully closed, and while this has been disruptive, it’s ensured the safety of road users and crews and allows the work to progress faster, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 

“Waka Kotahi network teams and contractors have worked together to minimise the overall impact to road users, especially on state highways where a road closure was used to undertake repairs, proactive site management and routine maintenance at the same time. 

“Elsewhere we continue to manage and clean up a number of roads across the eastern side of the region, as well as isolated locations further inland. This work will be ongoing for some time, and with winter conditions continuing we are ready to respond to further weather events as required. 

“We are also looking forward to the next few months, when crews commence work to improve underlying road conditions ahead of our summer chipseal programme. Road users will start to see more teams out on the network as we move into Spring. 

“We recommend road users check the Journey Planner before heading out to ensure they have the latest up-to-date information on road conditions,” says Ms Lauder

Journey Planner(external link)

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• 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 SH2, throughout the month of July there will be occasional stop/go on Cambridge Road for service relocation work. More information.(external link)
• SH2 Bay Link:  Overnight road and lane closures are scheduled in early July to allow works to place asphalt on SH2 and switch traffic on Maunganui Road northbound. Overnight road and lane closures will apply from approximately 7pm to 6am with detours in place. 
  Traffic notices for Baypark to Bayfair Link(external link)
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers.   
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue:  Work continues on the upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road intersection. Work will be focused on the southwest corner of the Fifteenth Avenue intersection. Temporary traffic management will be in place with shoulder closure at the SH2 corner and a north-bound lane closure on Cameron Road, with traffic able to turn left onto SH2 from the north-bound centre lane. Moderate traffic delays are expected. 
• SH2 Chapel Street: Maintenance on the Chapel Street viaduct will commence in early July, to minimise disruption to the public this work will be carried out at night. 
• 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 late July 2023 with reinstatement work planned to follow. More information.(external link)

The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. 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:  Roundabout construction and early works continue at Lockington/Matahui Road intersection and Sharp Road intersection. Lane shifts and intermittent stop/go traffic management will be in place throughout these worksites, which may cause some delays, however typically only one to two minutes of additional travel time will be experienced. More information(external link)
• SH2 Omokoroa Road: Pavement investigations will take place over 2 nights commencing Monday 10 July.  There will be intermittent stop/go in place which may cause minor delays.
• SH2 Wairoa Cycleway:  The Tauranga City Council Cycleway construction continues with work taking place both under the Wairoa Bridge and in the on-road shoulder at night. The cycleway is due to be completed in August 2023.
• SH2 Te Puna: On Sunday 9 July tree removal will be taking place near Tauranga West Road between 9am and 4pm.

Rotorua

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places temporary traffic management includes detours, lane shifts, shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, temporary signalised crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. There is a road closure at Tennyson Drive, as well as shoulder closures and pedestrian detours in place. Moderate traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link).     
• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: There is a three way stop/go in place 24/7 as construction work continues on the new roundabout. Access for traffic will be maintained, however significant traffic delays are expected of up to 30 minutes during peak times and up to 10 minutes off-peak. People travelling to/from the north on SH33 in light vehicles are encouraged to use Hamurana Road, SH36 and/or SH5. More information(external link). 
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on the SH33 safety improvements project continues with work between the Sun Valley Curves and Okere Falls. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Temporary 24/7 traffic lights will be in place from late June for two weeks. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link). 
• SH30 Rotomā: There are two slips between Matahi Road and SH34 Kawerau Road. Heavy commercial vehicles may travel eastbound through the site, however westbound must detour via SH34 Military Road, SH2 and SH33 back to SH30. All light vehicles can use SH30 as normal. This detour will add approximately 40 minutes to journey times. Stop/go traffic management is in place at the western slip. Road users are urged to drive with caution. Rotorua Lakes Council have closed Manawahe Road and Pongakawa Valley Road due to rising lake levels. 
• SH36 Mangorewa Gorge: Due to a slip on State Highway 36 Mangorewa Gorge (Tauranga Direct Road), approximately 500 metres south of the Mangorewa Track Carpark, caution is advised when driving through this area. Stop/go traffic management is currently in place with a reduced speed limit of 30km/h. A geotechnical assessment has been completed, and a timeframe to repair the slip will be confirmed in due course.  

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: After planned testing on the Manganuku Bridge, further investigations are required. The reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until results are determined. 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. 
• SH38 Murupara: Due to an underslip north of Murupara township priority give way has been set up whilst geotechnical investigations are carried out. 
• SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Wainui Road and Woodlands Road, Opotiki continue. This work is expected to be complete in late-2023 (weather dependent). Works consists of shoulder widening and the installation of safety barriers. During this time road users can expect to see shoulder closures and/or stop/go operations in place, as required. Works will take place between 7am and 5pm each weekday. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays up to 10 minutes may be experienced. 
• SH2 Pekatahi Bridge: From Monday 3 July to Thursday 6 July closures will take place on the Pekatahi bridge, with the road closed between 8:30am and 4:30pm each day. This is to allow contractors to replace a section of handrail, repair broken and loose decking planks and replace the joint cover at the northwest end of the bridge. Due to the narrow width of the bridge a full closure is required to ensure this work can be carried out safely. The closure has been scheduled during the school holidays to minimise disruption to motorists. A detour is available through Whakatane via SH30 to Hinemoa Street, Arawa Road, Valley Road and Taneatua Road, southbound traffic can take the reverse route. 

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: Closures will take place each day between 8.30am and 4pm on Tuesday 4 July and Wednesday 5 July (weather dependent) to allow contractors to    complete important initial works at a site north of Hawken Road where the road is down to one lane due to a washout. A temporary culvert will be installed and shoulder widening work undertaken by contractors. During work hours there will be managed access for residents between Whanganui River Rd and Hawken Rd, and between Burrell Rd and Alexandra Rd. Due to the nature of the works between Hawken and Burrell Roads there will be no access through this section, except for emergency vehicles. SH1 is the alternative route. 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. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing. 
• 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 August 2023, weather dependent. The main earthworks for the road are now complete and traffic has been moved onto the new road’s southbound lane. This is an unsealed lane with a 30km/h temporary speed limit and stop/go. Further earthworks, pavement construction, sealing, line marking, and barrier installation work is ongoing.  More information(external link) 
• SH4 Whanganui: The Culvert 45 project, a project to remediate multiple underslips and subsidence is underway approximately 30km northeast of Whanganui. This includes backfilling and consolidating slip areas, formation of benching to ensure ongoing stability of the northbound lane and culvert repair work. While work is underway the section of road is down to one lane, under stop/go traffic management. 

Waikato

East Waikato

• SH25 Ruamahunga: The rockfalls and slips at Ruamahunga are continuing to require careful traffic management as we clear away material on the road and will likely remain in place over the coming week as we work to secure the slip sites.  Please remain patient with our crews as they are working to keep people safe.  Further updates will be shared next week. 
• SH25 Opoutere: An underslip has caused significant damage to the road structure. The road is now open to two lanes on a temporary surface. Pavement construction will take place when weather allows. More information(external link). 
• SH25A Kōpū-Hikuai: A section of road near the summit has collapsed, and the road is impassable.  Detour via SH26, SH2, SH25 via the Karangahake Gorge, or SH25 via Coromandel Town. Work to construct a bridge over the slip area is underway.
• SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Work to repair an existing gabion wall continues, and is expected to be complete by late July. This work is dependent on river levels and weather conditions.

Central Waikato

• 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 traffic management in place at times. Pavement works and barrier construction will finish late July. More information(external link).
• 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. 

West Waikato

• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia Section:   On Thursday 6 July between 7pm and 5am the northbound lane will close to enable resurfacing to take place. The southbound lane will close on Sunday 9 July between 7pm and 5am, also for resurfacing. A detour will be available via Ngāruawāhia. This detour is not suitable for HPMV, who are required to detour via SH1B.  
  Safety improvements and remedial works require a single lane in each direction with a 50km/h temporary speed limit, until completion in May 2024. More information(external link).
• SH1N Waikato Expressway - Rangiriri Section: On Sunday 2 July between 8pm and 5am the southbound lane will close to enable resurfacing to take place. The northbound lane will close on Monday 3 July between 8pm and 5am, also for resurfacing. A detour will be in place via Te Wharepu Road and Rodda Road. 
• SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout continues with one lane available in each direction, except for Sunday 2 July, when stop/go traffic management will be in place from 8am to 3pm. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place at all times. Cambridge Road and Johnsview Terrace are operating as left in/left out only. Please use the SH1C/Wairere Drive interchange to access Cambridge Road and the Hillcrest shops. This work sees the intersection changed to traffic light controls, and is expected to be completed by late August 2023. More information(external link). 
• SH21 Tamahere Interchange: Works are continuing on the final stage of safety improvements at the Tamahere interchange. Raised pedestrian crossing, including a signalised crossing, widened footpaths and improved lighting are being installed. Traffic management and speed restrictions are in place. Detours will be in place at times for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly along SH21 Airport Road. An alternative route will be signposted through Tamahere Park, please follow the signs when these are in place. 
• SH1 Cambridge: Due to the construction of a turnaround bay at the intersection of SH1 and Hydro Road, traffic management will be in place 24/7 with temporary speed limits in place near the work site. There will be several nights of night works under stop/go traffic management while the site is established. The works are expected to be completed in early August. 
• SH30 Te Kuiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution. 

North Waikato

• SH1 Pokeno: Resurfacing will take place between Razorback Road and Koheroa Road this month, there will be stop/go in place with works taking place between 9pm and 5am. 
• SH2 Maramarua:  Between Mcpherson Road and Okaeria Road various sections of of SH2 will be resurfaced and signs replaced with stop/go in place, works will take place between 9pm and 5am on selected nights as weather allows. 

Taranaki

• SH43 Aukopae: Due to a wash out, there is 30km/h speed restriction in place. 
• SH3 Tongapōrutu: Work to install a retaining wall at SH3 Tongapōrutu, north of Hutiwai Road, is now complete with the road reopened to two-lane traffic. The site will however remain under temporary speed restrictions until crews return to site to complete pavement repairs later in the year when the weather is drier and warmer.   
• SH3 Awakino Gorge: Remedial works continue at SH3 in the Awakino Gorge to reinstate the road corridor after heavy rainfall caused a culvert to collapse in May, causing a large underslip. Late in June crews will be completing pavement repairs under stop/go traffic controls, followed by sealing of the site in the subsequent weeks (weather permitting). Crews will then return to site, after the new seal has settled to complete asphalt resurfacing of the site to ensure its longevity.   
• SH3 Awakino Gorge: Crews have experienced delays installing the retaining wall at State Highway 3 in the Awakino Gorge, just south of Awakau Road due to unforeseen geotechnical issues with the material beneath the road surface. Pending resolution, work is currently scheduled to recommence in the coming weeks and will take approximately four weeks to complete.  The area has been under traffic light stop/go controls since June 2022 when heavy rainfall caused a large under slip causing damage to the road pavement, guardrails, fences, and drainage. The repairs are now scheduled for completion in late-July, weather permitting.    
• SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Due to safety improvement works, there will be stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h speed limit in place on weekdays between 7am and 5:30pm Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

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