Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for September 2022

9 September 2022 10:35 am | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Following the successful return of the AIMS Games, the Bay of Plenty region continues to see events taking place over the next fortnight.

Saturday 17 September sees the return of the Rotorua Marathon, before the Tauranga Marathon and Bay of Plenty vs Southland Bunnings NPC match both take place in Tauranga on Sunday 18 September.

“As large-scale events return to our cities, residents and visitors should expect some delays,” says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager at Waka Kotahi.

Both local Councils and Waka Kotahi have a number of significant projects that are taking place across the road network within the city, and road users are encouraged to use the Journey Planner to check for real-time updates online ahead of leaving for their destination.

Journey Planner(external link)

“If drivers, especially those who may not have travelled inter-regionally in a while, know what is happening on the roads, they can better prepare for the trip ahead and allow extra time to get to their destination safely.

“For those driving to and from Rotorua or Tauranga, the Journey Planner will also help with route planning. The effects of recent weather events are still being felt throughout the wider Bay of Plenty region and further afield. There are sections of the state highway network that are down to one lane with traffic management in place to manage traffic through site.

“Please allow extra time while travelling as there will be an increase in traffic before and after events take place,” says Mr Brady.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Tauranga Marathon: The Tauranga Marathon takes place on Sunday 18 September. With the third Bunnings NPC game being played on the same day at Tauranga Domain, the city centre is likely to be busier than usual and drivers should expect some delays. As part of the marathon traffic management, the SH2 Chapel Street off-ramp will be closed from 7.30am – 2pm with a signposted detour in place. More information(external link).
Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities are taking place between Te Puna and Bethlehem. This includes stop/go traffic management in place at Wairoa Road, and a number of shoulder closures and temporary speed limits. More information(external link).
SH2 Tauranga Bridge: Bridge joint repairs will be undertaken between Tauranga Marina and Chapel Street, between 8pm and 4am overnight Sunday 11 September. During this time the westbound off-ramp at Chapel Street will be closed, with a detour via the Dive Crescent off-ramp and Marsh Street.
SH2 Hewletts Road: As part of the Tauranga City Council Totara Street cycleway project, work at the intersection of SH2 Hewletts Road and Totara Street is scheduled to begin on Monday 19 September, and will be completed in November. Construction works will include signalising the existing slip lane and upgrading the island to provide a fully signalised crossing for shared path users. These works will take place between Tasman Quay and Totara Street each night between 8pm and 5am. Eastbound traffic along Hewletts Road will be reduced to one lane during this time. Minimal delays are expected. More information(external link).
SH2 Bay Link: Drivers are reminded of the new layout at the Bayfair roundabout. For people approaching the roundabout from Matapihi, the left lane is now a left turn only and the right lane is for traffic going straight through and turning right. More information(external link).
SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A section of the Kopurererua Valley cycleway is temporarily closed while services are relocated alongside SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. While this work is underway there is a reduced speed limit of 80km/h in place. As part of the Powerco service relocation works there will be drilling work to install cables under SH29 / Takitimu Drive Toll Road on Tuesday 13 September. A reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be in place and a Stop/Stop while drilling is in progress. Stop time will be for approximately one minute and then the traffic will be allowed to travel through the area again. This will take place between 9am and 3pmThis work is expected to be completed in September. More information(external link).
SH36 Pyes Pa: Tauranga City Council is undertaking watermain and wastewater pipe installations; work is expected to be complete in mid-October. During this time northbound traffic from the SH36/Pyes Pa roundabout will be detoured via Pyes Pa Road through to the SH29A Barkes Corner roundabout. Delays of up to 15 minutes during peak times are expected. More information(external link).
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange project, traffic on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge continues to be down to one lane in either direction until Monday 3 October. This is to allow the installation of a culvert across the TELTR, which will enable earthworks in preparation for construction. Speed is reduced to 50km/h through the work site. Under normal circumstances, we anticipate any delays to be less than two minutes. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Tanners Point Road to Tuapiro Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected. Retaining walls are being constructed between Apata Station Road and Esdaile Road. Stop/go traffic management will be in place outside of morning and evening peak traffic, from 9am-4pm. Light vehicles under ten tonnes can take an alternative route via Wainui South and Esdaile Road There are currently no right turns to Tetley Road and limited right turn options to Rea Road. Detours routes are available, please follow the signs and directions of the traffic management team. More information(external link).
SH2 Athenree to Pahoia: Road surface repairs will take place in multiple locations; work will be undertaken between 7pm and 6am each night, from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 September. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.

Rotorua

Rotorua Marathon: The Rotorua Marathon takes place on Saturday 17 September. Traffic management will be in place on roads around Lake Rotorua, including the state highway network. More information(external link).
SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park to excavate the shared service trench for the relocation of underground services and installation of the new watermain. A new road layout is in place on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Basley Road and Iles Road. Temporary traffic barriers have been relocated from the lakeside to the westbound side of SH30/Te Ngae Road and a new temporary pedestrian crossing has been installed adjacent to Lynmore Rise Village. A full road closure of Basley Road at the intersection with SH30/Te Ngae Road will be in place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 September between 7am and 6pm, while contractors underground services and install the new stormwater system across Basley Road. Detours will be in place and minor delays are expected. More information(external link).
SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Intersection safety improvement work are ongoing. Starting at 4.30pm on Sunday 18 September to Friday 23 September, the contractor will be working 24 hours, while the existing road surface is removed. While this work is underway two lanes of traffic will remain open, with a reduced speed limit of 30km/h through the site. Traffic will be maintained in both directions however the works may cause minor traffic delays and people are asked to take extra care while traveling through the site. More information(external link).
SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. During the day and when the crew are on site, either two lanes will be open or stop/go will be in place – depending on the works. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h applies. Outside of work hours and when the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. There are also ongoing shared path works between Mourea Bridge and Ōkere Falls. Traffic management will be a combination of shoulder closures and stop/go as required to carry out the works safely. Allow extra time. More information(external link).

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH35 Motu River: 24/7 single lane access has been reinstated, with traffic signal control in place, along with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. There will be periods where traffic is stopped at each end to allow works to take place across the full road width. Works will continue until mid-September. More information(external link).

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. Enabling works for the longer-term solution have commenced. More information(external link).
SH5 Te Haroto (between Taupō and Napier): Work has progressed well, and two-way access will resume from 4pm today, Friday 9 September. Works will continue for some time, including the culvert replacement, which will be completed under stop/go at a later date. More information(external link).
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 will continue into 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.
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.
SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: Slip clear crews continue to clear material from numerous slip sites. Traffic is generally reduced down to one lane past these slip sites during working hours. At sites 150m north of Burrell Road and 3km north of Burrell Road, SH4 is reduced down to one lane due to underslips with priority give way and 30km/h speed limits in place. At Aberfeldy, 1km north of Parihauhau Road, speed is reduced to 50km/h due to an underslip compromising the edge line of the northbound lane.

Waikato

Central Waikato

SH1 Putaruru: Road resurfacing at the SH1/Main Street roundabout will be undertaken on Thursday 29 September, between 7pm and 6:30am During this time the road will be closed, with a detour via Neal Street, Commerce Street and Market Street. Minor delays are expected. Further resurfacing just north of the roundabout will take place on Tuesday 4 October, lane diversions will be in place while this is completed.
SH1 Ātiamuri: Safety improvements on a 4.5km stretch of SH1 between Maroa Road and Tram Road, south of Ātiamuri, are continuing. A 50km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the site and stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit may also be used at times between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday. More information(external link).
SH1 Desert Road: The road is down a single lane near Tree Trunk Gorge Road, due to washouts. Temporary traffic signals are in place along with a temporary speed limit; road users are reminded to comply with the traffic management on site.

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 Tamahere: SH1 at Tamahere is reduced to one lane in each direction as safety improvements are made to bring the road up to 110km/h design and safety standards. People are asked to take care when driving through the site and follow the posted speed limit of 70km/h. More information(external link).
SH3 Te Kūiti: Work is taking place to make the entrance to Te Tokanganui-a-Noho marae safer for pedestrians to cross State Highway 3 Awakino Road. Traffic heading east on State Highway 30 will need to detour north along Carroll Street, cross the railway line on Ward Street and then head south on Rora St. The same detour will apply in reverse for westbound traffic. The project is expected to be complete by the end of September. More information(external link).
SH30 Kōpaki: A localised drop out between Kōpaki Road and Ohirea Road means temporary traffic signals are in place to control traffic, along with a temporary speed restriction of 30 km/h. Repairs are complete at a slump near Kōpaki Bridge; however, this site remains under a temporary speed restriction. Truck drivers are reminded that the existing Kōpaki rail overbridge has a maximum weight limit of 6 tonnes. If compliance with the load restriction doesn’t greatly improve, the potential risk to both road and rail users will force us to close the road to all traffic. The detour route between Maniaiti/Benneydale and Te Kuiti is via Kōpaki Road and State Highway 4.
SH4 Taumarunui: Following storm damage, a section of road north of Taumarunui 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.

North Waikato

SH1 Hampton Downs: This section of the expressway will be without lighting until November, while work continues on upgrading the state highway. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction as safety improvements are made to the road, bringing it up to 110km/h design and safety standards. People are asked to take care when driving through the site by following the posted speed limit of 70km/h. More information(external link).
SH1 Mercer: Due to multiple maintenance activities there is a southbound closure between Pokeno and Mercer, including the Pioneer Road southern intersection, on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 September, between 10pm and 5am each night. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes. The Mercer Road intersection will have traffic management in place to guide traffic through the area.
SH1 Pokeno: Due to multiple maintenance activities there is a southbound closure between Nikau Road and Pokeno on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 September between 9pm and 5am each night. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes. The Nikau Road intersection and the southbound Pokeno off-ramps will have traffic management in place to guide traffic through the area.
SH2 Heaven Road: Due to resurfacing activity there will be stop/go traffic management between Heaven Road and Steen Road on Monday 12 September between 9pm and 5am.

Taranaki

SH3 Piopio: A slip has the road down to one lane, which is being controlled by traffic lights. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected. More information(external link).
SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: Stop/go controls are operating daily, with delays of up to 15 minutes expected. The lane closure allows for Bypass enabling works. More information(external link).
SH3 Awakino: A slip has the road down to one lane under stop/go traffic management 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 Waitara: Northbound light vehicle traffic is being detoured via Waitara to enable stormwater works to be carried out for Te Ara Tūtohu Waitara to Bell Block safety improvements. Heavy vehicles and all southbound vehicles continue to use SH3 under stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit. Delays of between 5-10 minutes can be expected.

Some of the above works are weather dependent and may be postponed in the case of poor weather. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website.