Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for May 2023

With rain events impacting the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region, roading crews responded to a number of events on the state highway network last week.

However, the Coromandel roading network remained largely unaffected, with the majority of the impact falling on the Bay of Plenty. Flooding and slips caused road closures and delays on a number of state highways with crews spending the majority of Tuesday through to the end of the week out on the network clearing debris and assessing the damage caused by torrential rain.

News that the Taparahi slip on State Highway 25A will be repaired through the construction of a bridge was welcome news to the Coromandel community.

Plans are in place to manage traffic on SH25 while the bridge is constructed, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 

“We have seen an increased volume of traffic using the coastal route around the Peninsula, which was to be expected. We appreciate the weather events plus the additional traffic is putting stress on the roading network. We want to provide surety of travel to those living in and visiting the Coromandel, and over the coming months we will make adjustments to put this into effect.” 

As we move closer to those dark wet weather months it’s a good time to consider how the change of season can affect driving conditions, maintaining greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front, slowing down and being prepared for unexpected hazards will all help ensure a safe journey. When driving long distances consider sharing time at the wheel, and ensure you take regular breaks. Finally, check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) before you leave home to ensure you have the latest information on the state highway network.   

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 State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits.  More information(external link)
• SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: Motorists are being advised that the peak time congestion issues on State Highway 2 between Ōmokoroa and Bethlehem are set to continue for some time yet. Between the Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem there are two pieces of work planned or underway.  
  Currently Tauranga City Council are in the process of installing new kerb and channel at Taniwha Place as part of the Wairoa Cycleway project. This work will be finished by the weekend. The rest of the cycleway work will be completed at night and is not expected to cause significant impacts to traffic. 
  Separately, road rehabilitation between Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem, commenced Sunday 14 May, with work taking place until early June.
  Due to the narrow width of the bridge approaches, the road is closed overnight, from 8pm through to 5am on Sunday 14, Thursday 18 and Wednesday 24 May. Light vehicles will be detoured, via Wairoa Road, Crawford Road and Poripori Road, through to State Highway 29. Heavy vehicles will be stacked either side of the bridge and piloted through at set intervals.
  At all other times work will take place under Stop/Go traffic management with temporary speed limits past the site. 
• SH2 Bay Link: The new Bayfair flyover is open, taking traffic over the Bayfair roundabout and making it safer for everyone by separating local and state highway traffic. Road reconstruction is underway on all ground level roads leading into, and away from, the Bayfair roundabout, with the following temporary traffic layouts in place: A single lane is available on Maunganui Road northbound from opposite Exeter Street, through the Bayfair roundabout to opposite Concord Avenue, on Maunganui Road southbound from Concord Avenue to Bayfair roundabout and around the Bayfair roundabout. Find out more about the new road layout at nzta.govt.nz/bayfairflyover(external link)
  New work zones and a new road layout are in place on Matapihi Road at the intersection of Owens Place, and approaching the Bayfair roundabout to enable the completion of this intersection. The pedestrian crossing on Matapihi Road has moved between the two HomeZone shopping area entrances. The right turn from Matapihi Road onto Owens Place is now permanently closed. Road users wishing to turn right onto Owens Place from Matapihi Road use the Bayfair roundabout, complete a full turn at the roundabout before returning along Matapihi Road and turning left into Owens Place.   
• 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.   
• SH29 Kaimai Ranges: Due to surface conditions on SH29 between Old Kaimai and Hanga Road, the road will be reduced to one lane in both directions with a 50km temporary speed limit in place. Caution is required. 
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road. Work is currently focused on the southeast corner of the Fifteenth Avenue intersection. Temporary traffic management is in place with a westbound lane closure on Fifteenth Avenue, with traffic able to turn left onto Cameron Road from the centre lane, and a southbound lane closure on Cameron Road, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenue. Moderate traffic delays are expected.
• SH2 Hewletts Road: Work continues to upgrade the existing footpath on the northern side of SH2 Hewletts Road to a shared use path. Work is taking place in four consecutive stages to minimise disruption. Works in the last stage, between Maru St and Aerodrome Rd, are now underway. The northbound bus lane will be closed Monday to Friday between 5am and 3pm each day. Line marking of the new shared path is underway between Totara Street and Aerodrome Road, with works taking place at night only. A detour for people walking and cycling will be in place. Regular traffic lanes will operate as per normal. More information(external link) 
• 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 June 2023 with reinstatement work planned for July 2023. 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:  Safety improvements continue at four active sites: between Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, Rea Road /Tetley Road Roundabout, Lockington Road / Matahui Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. 
  Roundabout construction is underway at Lockington Road/Matahui Road intersection, lane shifts and speed reduction are in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management, expect delays. Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road, speed restrictions are in place for road widening works. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. More information(external link) 

Rotorua 

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active with temporary traffic management in place on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. The shoulder is closed on the westbound lane between Basley Road and 411 Te Ngae Road. The intersection of Basley Road and SH30/Te Ngae Road is now open to left in and left out turns. Work to complete the final section of new road surface at the intersection of Basley Road and Melrose Avenue is underway, and there will be an intermittent road closure at Melrose Avenue. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and Tennyson Drive, is now closed for preparing for the new road surface. The footpath on the southern side of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and the mid-block opposite Puketāwhero Park, is open, with a temporary signalised crossing at the city end of Puketāwhero Park. Work is continuing on the new retaining wall opposite Brent Road on SH30/Te Ngae Road - temporary traffic management in place includes a contraflow lane shift and a shoulder closure on the eastbound lane of SH30/ Te Ngae Road between Puketāwhero Park and Brent Road, while the footpath through this section remains closed. There are two newly installed temporary pedestrian crossings in place at the airport end of Puketāwhero Park and outside Te Ngae Shopping Centre, allowing footpath users to safely cross SH30/Te Ngae Road. There is a temporary reduced speed limit of 50km/h and three sections of temporary pedestrian crossings with temporary reduced speed limit of 30km/h. 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: Construction of safety improvements continue on the western side of the intersection, and earthworks continue on the southeast corner of the SH30/SH33 intersection, temporary traffic management will be in place including a reduced speed limit through the site during work hours. Moderate traffic delays are expected. From Thursday 18 May (weather dependent) there will be a three way stop/go in place at all times as work progresses on constructing the new roundabout. Traffic delays of up to 30 minutes are expected during peak times and up to 10 minutes off-peak. People driving light vehicles are encouraged to use Hamurana Road, SH36 and SH5 to travel to/from Rotorua. More information(external link) 
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Due to the impacts of heavy rain various work activities will resume on sections of road between Allport Road and Hamurana Road from today, Monday 15 May. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link) 
• SH30 Lake Rotoiti: Reinstatement work is underway on an underslip at Lake Rotoiti, the estimated completion time is 12 days, crews will be on site 24/7 with manned lights, minor traffic delays ae expected. 
• SH30 Rotoma: Due to an underslip between Matahi Road and SH34 Kawerau Road, a section of SH30 is reduced to one lane with stop/go traffic management in place. Geotech investigations are underway.  
• SH36 Mangorewa Gorge: Investigations are underway after a slip has been identified following recent heavy weather with one lane closed and stop/go traffic management in place. Stop/go traffic management is also in place after recent floods between Jackson Road and Central Road. Surface repairs will take place where required, and the passing lane will remain closed for the immediate future. Drive with caution and expect some delays. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty  

• 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. 
• 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 commenced Monday 8 May. This work is expected to take around four months to complete (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. 

Tairāwhiti 

• SH2 Napier to Wairoa: Work to restore the cyclone damaged stretch of road between Napier and Wairoa has progressed to a point where the road can be opened to the public. The entire route reopened Sunday 14 May at 7am, with the road initially open between 7am and 6pm each day. At night the road will be closed between Waikoau Hill and Aropaoanui Rd. Traffic management and temporary speed restrictions will be in place as required. 
• SH2 Gisborne to Matawai: Significant Delays are expected between Gisborne and Matawai due to road rehabilitation works that are taking place between May and July. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place at each worksite. Asphalt resurfacing work will commence in the same area from June. More information(external link)
• SH2 Esk River Bridge:  Work to strengthen the Esk River Bridge continues until Thursday 18 May. The bridge will be closed between 9pm and 5am each night, Sunday to Thursday, for a period of three weeks.  The bridge will remain open during daytimes hours, though there may be occasional work that will require one lane to be closed. More information(external link) 

Manawatū-Whanganui  

• SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: As well as existing damaged sites, there are several sites along SH4 that received damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and have traffic management in place, including a number that require further investigation and designs completed prior to remedial action taking place.   
• SH4 Burrell Road underslip: Work continues at the site of an existing underslip near Burrell Road south of Otoko. Crews are constructing a new 18-metre-long anchored retaining wall, and underpinning an existing concrete crib retaining wall. Traffic management will be in place during this time, with work expected to be completed by mid-June. 
• 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. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing. 

Waikato

East Waikato 

• SH25 Opoutere: An underslip has caused significant damage to the road structure. The temporary road is open with stop/go traffic management, however there may be periods of stop/stop traffic management as required. Work to repair the slip has commenced, and is expected to be complete by late-May.  
• SH25 Moana Anu Anu Bridge, Whangamatā: The bridge (also known as Wentworth River Bridge). which is located near the intersection of Tairua and Port Roads, will be closed to all traffic from 7am to 5pm on Wednesday 17 May and Friday 9 June for essential maintenance work. Motorists travelling between Waihi and Tairua on State Highway 25 (SH25) will be detoured through Whangamatā during this time. The bridge will also be closed to cyclists and pedestrians throughout this work. More information(external link) 
• SH25 Kereta Hill: Three nights of road closures commenced Sunday 14 May while road repair work is undertaken. There will be a one-hour time slot each night between 11pm and midnight each night to allow vehicles through. The closure is from 1090 Thames Coast Road through to 713 Manaia Road. Previously scheduled works were cancelled due to weather. This work is a proactive measure to hold the road over winter, and further work will be undertaken next summer. More information(external link) 
• SH25A Kopu-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. More information(external link)

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 in June 2023. 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: 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) 
• SH21 Tamahere safety improvements: Safety improvements have commenced with lane shifts and a temporary speed limit in place.  Work is expected to be complete in July. 
  More information(external link)
• SH23 Dinsdale: Full completion of the Hamilton City Council Dinsdale Water Supply project is expected by mid-2023. More information(external link) 
• SH1C Frankton: Asphalt resurfacing at the SH1C/SH23/Massey/Hall Overbridge intersection continues. Work is taking place overnight, Sunday 14 May to Thursday 18 May for Northbound lanes, and Sunday 21 May until Thursday 25 May for Southbound lanes. Detours will be in place as required: to Hall Street via SH1C, Norton Road, Jolly Street and Kent Street, to Massy Street via 1C, Rifle Range Road and Massey Street. 
• SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout continues with one lane available in each direction. 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. Additionally, from 5 April until late May, there will be no left turn from SH1C Cobham Drive into local Cambridge Road. Please use the Wairere Drive-Cobham Drive interchange to access local 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) 
• SH3 Melville: Kerb and Channel renewal works will be carried out on Normandy Avenue Monday 22 to Friday 26 May between the hours of 6am to 4pm each day. Westbound lanes will be closed to through traffic during this time. Detours will be in place for local roads and through traffic. Residents will have access to their properties at all times.  Emergency services will be given priority through the worksite. This work is weather dependant. 
• SH23 Raglan Deviation: An underslip occurred at a section of road approximately 1.6km west of Glentui Lane. The retaining wall constructed to hold the road is now complete, work to reinstate the road back to the old alignment is continuing. Work is expected to be complete by late-May, but we will need good weather to complete the works. More information(external link) 
• SH30 Kōpaki: Due to safety concerns Kopaki Bridge is only open to local light traffic until the new bridge is open to traffic late May. The detour for all other vehicles is via Kopaki Road and SH4. More information(external link) 
• SH31 Kawhia Road: The only sealed road in and out of the seaside town of Kawhia will be fully open tomorrow. A single lane will reopen from 5.30pm Friday 12 May while finishing works are completed, contractors expect both lanes to be fully open to traffic from 5.30pm Tuesday 16 May.  More information(external link)

North Waikato 

• SH1 Pokeno: The southbound on-ramp was closed on Sunday 14 May between 9pm and 5am. Southbound traffic can use the SH1 Pokeno northbound on-ramp and turn around at Ridge Road/Nikau Road to head south.  
• SH1 Mercer to Pokeno: There will be a full northbound closure on Thursday 18 May between 10pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.  
• SH1 Meremere, Island Block Road to Dragway Road: There will be a full southbound closure on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 May between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.  
• SH2 Monument Road to Dimmock Road: Stop/Go traffic management will be in place for general maintenance from Sunday 14 to Tuesday 16 May between 9pm and 5am.  Sunday 14 to Tuesday 16 May between 9pm and 5am.  
• SH2 Waitakaruru, Okaeria Intersection: Stop/Go traffic management will be in place to carry out streetlight maintenance on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 May between 9pm and 5am. on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 May between 9pm and 5am.  

Taranaki 

• SH43 Aukopae: Due to a wash out, there is 30km/h speed restriction in place. 
• SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: Due to barrier installation and cut stabilisation works, Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place between 7am and 5pm from Monday 29 May to Wednesday 14 June with delays of up to 15 minutes. This excludes King’s Birthday weekend, when the Stop/Go will finish at midday on Friday 2 June and resume at 8am on Tuesday 6 June, and the weekend of 10 and 11 June. More information(external link) 
• SH3 Tongapōrutu: Slip repair work continues south of Hills Road with, stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit in place. 
• SH3 Awakino Gorge:  At 3pm Friday, SH3 in the Awakino Gorge between Manganui and Awakau Roads reopened to single lane traffic under stop/go traffic controls with delays of approximately 10-15minutes. Crews continued to complete repairs at the site and hope to have the road reinstated to two lanes late on Saturday afternoon.  The road surface will remain unsealed with temporary speed limits in place. There will be ongoing remedial work at this site over the coming weeks. 
• SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: SH3 will be reduced to one lane at the Princess Street intersection until early-May while stormwater works are completed. Stop/Go traffic management will be in place on SH3 from approximately 140m south of the Princess Street intersection, through to 100m north of the intersection. A 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place along this section of road. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected. 

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(external link) 

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