Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for March 2024

The annual Beach Hop kicks off on Wednesday 20 March so motorists should expect the roads to be busy around the Coromandel Peninsula and contractors across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are doing their bit to ensure as smooth a ride as possible.

The Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions have had a large programme of road renewals this season, explains Andy Oakley, System Manager for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato. This means there are a significant number of sites where new seal has recently been put down.

“While the network is in better shape than this time last year, we are also continuing to repair damage caused by the extreme weather events of early 2023."

“State Highway 25A has been open since late December, and further around the peninsula we have several worksites along SH25 where the road is reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management in place. Beach Hop cruisers and other visitors should also expect narrower lanes and speed restrictions at sites across the peninsula."

“Please slow down, be patient and allow additional time for your journeys,” says Mr Oakley.

South of the Coromandel, there will be overnight asphalt resurfacing on State Highway 2 through Paeroa from Tuesday 19 March, taking a week to complete to complete. A section of the road will be closed from 8pm until 6am each night, with a detour in place.

It is important to adhere to the relevant temporary speed limits during this type of work to avoid damage to your vehicle and ensure your safety and that of other road users and our road workers.

We are pausing all chip seal work on the cruise route prior to Beach Hop week, to minimise disruption and risk of damage to vehicles, however there will be minor patches of loose chip following recent road repairs.

"We wish Coromandel businesses, locals and visitors a very enjoyable Beach Hop and thank you all for your patience while we continue to improve the state highway network."

For up-to-date travel information please check Journey Planner(external link).

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, traffic has been shifted onto the Wairoa Bridge. Traffic on the bridge is down to one lane with traffic management still in place. The road layout will change frequently while drainage and utilities are installed along with tying in works to connect to the existing road. Pavement work for this will start next week. On Thursday 14 and Friday 15 of March from 7.30am work will be undertaken on Minden Road to install utilities along the shoulder. Traffic management will be in place with a 30km/h speed limit, lanes will be narrowed, with minimal disruption expected. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational with a temporary speed limit of 60km/h alongside the haul road. More information(external link)
• SH2 Te Puna: Powerline removal and upgrades will take place between Loop Road and Ainsworth Road on Saturday 16 March, at times both lanes will be held for 2 minutes at a stop/stop while this work is done. Delays are to be expected. There will also be underground drilling taking place at the same time across the highway.
• Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and 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 can use SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information(external link).
• SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night. This week, this includes overnight road closures of Hewletts Road flyover southbound, on Maunganui Road southbound (between Golf Road roundabout and Bayfair Shopping Centre), Girven Road and Matapihi Road, and around roundabout. More information(external link).
• SH2 Te Puna: Powerline removal and upgrades will take place between Loop Road and Ainsworth Road on Saturday 16 March, at times both lanes will be held for 2 minutes at a stop/stop while this work is done. Delays are to be expected. There will also be underground drilling taking place at the same time across the highway
• 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 can use SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information(external link).
• SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night. This week, this includes overnight road closures of Hewletts Road flyover southbound, on Maunganui Road southbound (between Golf Road roundabout and Bayfair Shopping Centre), Girven Road and Matapihi Road, and around roundabout. More information(external link).
• SH2 Hewletts Road, Tauranga: As part of the final stages of the Hewletts Road Shared Path, works to commission the cycle signals will be undertaken overnight on Sunday 17 March and Monday 18 March between 7pm and 6am. Works include installing new software for the cycle signals at the intersections of Waimarie Street, Maru Street, Aerodrome Road and Hewletts Road. While software is being installed for each individual intersection, traffic signals will be switched to a flashing orange for up to 30 minutes. Throughout these works, bus lanes will be closed (buses will use general traffic lanes) however no bus stops will be affected. There will be limited impact to pedestrians and cyclists as the shared footpath will still be operational.
• Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place whileTakitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers.
• SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Early works are underway at SH2/Fifteenth Ave where an on-ramp bridge connection will be built as part of the Takitimu North Link project. Tree felling will take place from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 March (7.30am – 6pm each day) with a shoulder closure in place from the Cameron Road intersection onto SH2. Stop/go will be in place Saturday 23 March on Fifteenth Ave.
• SH2 Takitimu Drive, Tauranga: Night works will start on Sunday 17 March and run for 8 nights from 8pm to 4.30 am on Takitimu Drive near the Kopurererua Stream. The SH2 City Centre/Mt Maunganui off-ramps will be closed to traffic travelling east from Bethlehem and travelling north from Tauriko. During the day there will be temporary speed limits in place. Light vehicles will detour on SH2 to 15th Avenue off-ramp then to Cameron Road, Elizabeth Street and then re-join SH2 at the Elizabeth Street roundabout. Heavy vehicles travelling north will be required to take SH29A and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair, heavy vehicles travelling east will detour SH2 to 15th Avenue off-ramp then through to Turret Road, onto SH29A and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair. More information(external link)
• 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 Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers are 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: Roundabout construction is underway at Sharp Road with significant activities. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at night for concrete and barrier works. There will also be daytime intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. In the Athenree Gorge as part of the safety improvements project between Waihī and Ōmokoroa, 3.8km of flexible median barrier is being installed north of Katikati, through the Athenree Gorge, beginning late March and due to complete early April. Widening work has previously taken place at this location, and installation of median barrier has been coordinated with the reseals programme on SH2 this summer. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.
• SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway; these are enabling works for roundabout construction. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 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 March.
• SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing is underway at a number of locations on SH2 between Bethlehem and Waihī. Reseals between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa will result in some line-marking changes with wide centrelines installed (providing greater separation for opposing traffic).
• SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Near the SH2/Ōmokoroa Road intersection shoulder closures and speed reductions are in place in preparation for early works for the Ōmokoroa roundabout project. More information(external link).
• SH29 Kaimai Range: Due to unforeseen circumstances the planned overnight closure of SH29 Kaimai Range will not take place between 17-21 March. The next closure will take place from 19-22 May.
• SH36 Pyes Pa: From 7am to 5pm tree felling will take place near 1226 Pyes Pa Road from Monday 18 March and will continue for 4 weeks. Traffic will be held when a tree is being felled; this should be a delay of no more than 2 minutes.

Rotorua

• The 10^th edition of Crankworx Rotorua has started and continues until Sunday 24 March. From Wednesday 20 March until Sunday 24 March the competition will move from Whakarewarewa Forest to Skyline Rotorua on SH5. There may be more traffic in the area due to people attending the event during this time.
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One: Nightworks continue on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 March with line marking between Tarawera Road and Iles Road. This night work (7pm to 6am) includes limit lines, fire hydrant/valve markings along the road and through the intersection. We expect to have completed this work by the end of the week, weather dependent. More information.(external link)
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work underway between Tumene Drive and Ōwhata Road includes surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. The bus stops outside 473 and 429 SH30 Te Ngae Road are currently closed while construction is underway on new bus stop foundations. The nearest operational bus stop is located 50-metres west on SH30 / Te Ngae Road (towards Basley Road). Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.(external link)
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Pavement construction is underway and minor traffic delays are expected for this work about 6km north of Ōkere Falls. Other 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. More information(external link).

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. Repairs will start on the bridge Monday 18 March and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

• SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast continues to progress work at multiple sites on SH5. This includes safety improvements at high-risk curves, as well as repair, recovery and routine maintenance work at various sites. Overall, please plan for delays of 30-45 minutes across the whole SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor. While this work takes place, stop/go traffic management and temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h are in place in certain areas. Safety improvements are underway at Marshall’s Bridge between Eskdale and Glengarry; and south of the passing lane between Te Pōhue and Te Hāroto. In addition, TREC starts work this week to improve safety at the slow vehicle bay and curves near Tarawera Cafe. As work is dependent on variables such as weather, these dates may change at short notice. More information(external link)

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.
• SH1/3 Bulls to Sanson: Full night closures continue to allow for roundabout tie-in works. The section of SH1/3 outside Base Ohakea is closed at night between 7.30pm and 6am Sunday nights to Friday mornings. The southbound detour for light vehicles is via Tangimoana Road, Taylor Road and onto SH1. The southbound detour for 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. The new roundabout is now 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(external link).
• SH4 Raetihi: There will be a daytime closure on SH4 between Whanganui River Road and Alexandra Road from 9am to 4pm on 18-22 March. As there are no local detours available, through traffic heading north will need to travel via SH3 from Whanganui, SH1 and SH49; and southbound traffic via SH49, SH1 and SH3.

Waikato

• A variety of safety improvements across the Waikato have started, these will contribute towards making the roads safer. The programme of works includes a mixture of new and modified signage, new hazard warning signs, roadside safety/barrier guard rail, road widening, improved road lines and improved road markings. It is expected there will be minimal disruption for motorists while this work is completed. The works will take place over the next 3 months. More Information(external link).

East Waikato

• SH25 Beach Hop: Beach Hop takes place from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 March. Higher than usual traffic volumes can be expected on SH25 and SH25A, especially in and around Whangamatā.
• SH25 Coromandel: Ongoing recovery works to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. The sites include Kereta, Te Kouma, Kuaotunu and Wharekaho. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. Work is also underway between Whangamatā and Waihī to repair and upgrade side drains. More information(external link).
• SH25A Taparahi Bridge: Temporary speed limits are still in place. Work to finish the restoration of SH25A at the Taparahi worksite is expected to be completed by the end of March. More information(external link)
• SH25 Ruamahunga: Slip stabilisation continues. Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. The next closure will be 19 March and will take place between 12 noon and 2pm. SH25 will be closed in both directions at the site for up to 20 minutes at a time so the helicopter can safely operate over the road to deliver those important supplies. The road will then reopen to allow traffic to clear before the next closure.
• SH2 Paeroa: Resurfacing will start on Belmont Road in Paeroa from Tuesday 19 and take a week to complete, from 8pm to 6am each night. The road will be open during the day with a temporary speed limit. A detour is available for all vehicles via SH26 Arney Street and Station Road.
• SH27 Waharoa: Safety upgrade work continues on SH27 between Walker Street and McGowan Street and is expected to be finished in early April. SH27 is open to traffic, under lane diversions and stop/go traffic management when needed. 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 late 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.
• SH24 Matamata to SH29: Until mid-April stop/go traffic management will be in place at times while road widening work is completed, followed by signage and rumble strip installation. Minor delays are expected.

Central Waikato

• SH1 Lichfield: Road rehabilitation continues until Friday 22 March from 6am to 6pm. There will be stop/go in place from 6am-6pm Monday to Saturday along with a temporary speed limit. A detour for light vehicles in both directions will be available via Rollett Road, Paroanui Road, Wiltsdown Road and then rejoining SH1 and reverse. Heavy vehicles will travel through the worksite under stop/go.
• SH1 Ātiamuri: Stop/go will be in place 24/7 south of Ohakuri Road for 3 weeks, where road widening is underway for safety barrier installation, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction.
• SH1 Maroa Road: There is 24/7 stop/go in place for 2 weeks from Monday 18 March for resealing and joint repairs. This is part of the finishing works on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year.
• 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(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. Works to repair the washout are due to begin early April and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.
• SH4 Taumaranui: Work still start on stage one of road rehabilitation on Hakiaha Street in Taumaranui from 19-21 March between 7pm and 5am. There will be a road closure at the SH4 overbridge between Taupo and Bell Roads. Southbound light vehicles will be detoured via Taupo Road, and northbound traffic will be detoured via Bell Road and Short Street. There is no alternative route for heavy vehicles, these vehicles will be convoyed through at two-hourly intervals. (9pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am) each night. Stage two will start mid-April.

West Waikato

• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes and 50km/h speed restriction. The next block of night-time closures and detours is for northbound traffic Sundays to Thursdays, 7pm-5am, 17 March to 11 April. More information(external link)
• SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: Final surfacing is underway until Easter. SH1 traffic is on single lanes during the work. Congestion is expected this weekend and those travelling between Auckland and Waikato may want to consider using SH2 and SH27. During the 2-3 days of southbound lane sealing on 17-18-19 March the southbound on and off-ramps will be closed. Detours will be in place using the state highway, however light traffic may choose to exit at Hampton Downs and use local roads south. More information(external link)
• SH1C/SH3 Hamilton: Road resurfacing will take place at the Kahikatea Drive/Ohaupo Road/Lorne Street and Normandy Avenue intersections, overnight from Sunday 24 March to Thursday 4 April from 7pm to 6am each night, however no work will take place during the easter break from 12 noon Thursday 28 March through to midnight Monday 1 April. During this work the road will be closed to through traffic for a period of time, the detour is via SH1C Lorne Street and SH3 Normandy Avenue. At all other times stop/go traffic management will be in place at the intersection of SH1C Lorne Street/Kahikatea Drive and SH3 Ohaupo Road.
• SH3 Rukuhia: Resurfacing will take place near Rukuhia Road on Tuesday 19 March to Thursday 21 March from 7pm to 6am each night. Access to and from Rukuhia Road, via SH3 Ohaupo will be closed to through traffic, detours will be via the local roads. Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Ohaupo Road.
• SH3 Ohaupo: Due to construction of a signalised pedestrian crossing on SH3 Ohaupo, a temporary speed limit will be in place until the end of March. Minor delays should be expected.
• SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Work is progressing with mass filling on the north and south sides of the intersection to accommodate the foundation works. Traffic delays are expected during construction in this area and an increase of vehicle movements including truck and trailers carrying material to site. 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. More Information.(external link)
• 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 (Tunakawa Road): The Gorton Road turnaround is now in place and the right turn onto Gorton Road has been reinstated. The focus has shifted to the Tunakawa Road turnaround. During construction there is no right turn onto SH1 from Tunakawa Road. Motorists need to make use of the Keeley's Reserve turnaround to change direction, which adds around 4-6 minutes to your journey. Once the turnaround construction is complete, the installation of median barrier from Tunakawa Road to Fergusson Gully Road can commence. This is expected to occur towards the end of March, with all work completed by mid-April 2024. More information.(external link)
• SH1 Karāpiro (Hickey Road): Construction of the fifth turnaround bay in the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road, is underway. Along with constructing the turnaround bay, there will be road widening at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and installing median and side safety barriers. Construction hours are 7am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, with no work on Sunday or public holidays, and temporary traffic management will be in place during construction. The impact on SH1 traffic is expected to be minor, although there are multiple worksites between Cambridge and Piarere, so some delays to journeys are expected. More information(external link)
• SH30 Kōpaki: The underpass repairs are due to start Monday 18 March and are expected to take 4 weeks to complete. There will be stop/go traffic management in place 24/7, however between 7am and 5pm there will be periods of stop/stop while machinery is moved around the site. Delays of up to 30 minutes should be expected.
• SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
• SH30 Kōpaki: Work will start on Monday 18 March on an underpass near Kōpaki, the works are expected to be completed by the end of March. Stop/go traffic management will be in place 7am to 5pm, outside of these hours the road will be open in both directions with a shoulder closure in place.
• SH3 Te Kūiti: Drivers on SH3 are advised to expect delays, with work taking place to build a retaining wall and culvert on a stretch of highway between Te Kūiti and the SH3/SH4 junction. For the first few days of construction traffic will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic control while the highway is temporarily widened on the southbound shoulder. Drivers should expect short delays at this site. Once this is done the road will be reopened to 2 lanes under speed restrictions for up to 3 months while the retaining wall and culvert are being built, with a few days of stop/go expected at the end of the project.
• SH3 Kihikihi: Maintenance will be carried out on SH3 Lyon Street on Sunday 24 March between 6pm to 5am. A small section of road will be closed between Ballance and Whitmore Streets. A short detour is available via Ballance, Church and Whitmore Streets.
• SH3 Otorohanga: Resurfacing will be taking place near Kio Kio Station Road, Otorohanga from Sunday 17 March for two nights between 8pm and 5am. The road will be closed at night between 8pm and 5am. A detour will be available for light vehicles southbound via Kio Kio Station Road and Puketarata Road then rejoin SH3, northbound via Kakamutu, Ouruwhero and Kio Kio Station Roads. HPMV’s and over dimension vehicles will be stacked and released at regular intervals.

North Waikato

• Nikau Road to Bombay interchange: There will be a full northbound closure from Sunday 17 to Tuesday 19 March between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.
• SH1 Nikau Road to Pokeno interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Thursday 21 March between 9pm and 5am to carry out general maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.
• SH1 Pokeno interchange to Nikau Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Monday 18 March between 9pm and 5am to carry out general maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.
• Pioneer Road (South) to Mercer interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Sunday 17 and Tuesday 19 March between 10pm and 5am to undertake resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.
• Pioneer Road (North): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp will be closed due to slip repairs. Please continue on SH1 and exit at Pokeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using Pokeno southbound on-ramp on SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (South). Work will be ongoing until Friday 10 May.
• SH2 Pokeno: Slip repairs are being carried out until Tuesday 20 March between 7am and 7pm outside Max Birt Sawmills, Pokeno (1.5km from the SH1 Southern Motorway on-ramp). During this time there will be speed reductions in place and road layout changes. More information(external link)
• Pinnacle Hill Road to Dobson Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place from Sunday 17 to Thursday 21 March between 9pm and 5am for stormwater maintenance. Please follow traffic management directions and stop when asked.

Taranaki

• 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 and is expected to be completed by the end of March.
• SH3 Mt Messenger: From 7pm on Friday 5 April to 4am on Monday 8 April SH3 Mt Messenger will be closed for resurfacing. There will be scheduled openings to clear traffic queues. Outside this time, road users can expect stop/go traffic management at night between 6pm and 6am between Tuesday 2 April and Friday 19 April, with delays expected of up to 15 minutes. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead.
• 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(external link)
• SH3 Pio Pio: Crews will complete asphalt repairs at Moa Street, SH3 in Pio Pio between Ruru and Tui Streets from 22-26 March (weather permitting) between 4pm and 6am, Sunday to Friday. There will be stop/go in place, delays of approximately 10 minutes can be expected. Pedestrian and property access will be maintained; however, some parking may be impacted temporarily while particular areas are under repair. Access to businesses within the site will be maintained, and the footpath will not be impacted. In the case of unsuitable weather, work will be postponed to the next available night.
• 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. From early next week, vehicles will use a temporary road built to enable crews to complete work over both lanes of the existing state highway. Please drive carefully and follow all temporary speed restrictions in place. The work is scheduled to take approximately 6 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.