Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for September 2023

Road maintenance work takes another step forward over the coming weeks, with the first road rebuilding commencing across the Bay of Plenty region.

These works are disruptive, says Roger Brady, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty System Manager.  

“Knowing what work is taking place on your route before leaving for your destination will ensure you get to your destination on time. 

“Rebuilding roads generally requires us to remove the existing road structure before we can bring in new material to build it back up. To do this we need accompanying traffic management to keep everyone safe. 

“Where possible, we will move traffic across the road to keep everyone moving, as we are doing outside the Rotorua Airport. However, in other instances, such as our sites near Pongakawa and Edgecumbe, we don’t have the width to do this. In these instances, we will use a mix of stop/go traffic management and/or single-lane and full road closures.” 

Road users can use the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) to view all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the network at any point in time. This is kept up to date in real time to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. 

“There’s no doubt that we are going to cause disruption across the network over the next six months,” says Mr Brady.

“This is a necessity due to the volume of work we need to complete to maintain and improve the state highway network during the crucial summer months.” 

Bay of Plenty 

Tauranga 

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks will commence in September across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. On Cambridge Road a diversion road will be starting construction in the southern area of the construction zone. Multiple utility relocations works are in progress, with a 30km/h speed limit in place at all times with shoulder closures and stop/go expected at times. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. Construction has begun on a temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road will be separated from SH2 with a temporary concrete barrier, which has been installed along with new road markings. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see changes to the road layout as well as overnight road and lane closures. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. Baypark to Bayfair Link(external link)
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers.    
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work is underway at the southern central median SH2 / Fifteenth Avenue / Cameron Road intersection. Work will shift to the centre islands on the eastern and western sides of the intersection in the coming weeks, so contractors can complete the signalised traffic pole ducting and new kerbs. There are turning lane closures in place on Cameron Road. Traffic can still turn into SH2 and Fifteenth Avenue using other lanes. There are multiple active worksites along Cameron Road between SH2 and Elizabeth Street, moderate traffic delays are expected. 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. Both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed limits apply. 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-September 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 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: Sharp Road and Lockington Road / Matahui Road Intersections: Lane shifts and speed reductions are in place at both intersections while roundabout construction takes place. Road layout changes will occur as works progress. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management which may cause longer delays, however typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. More information(external link).

Stop/go will also be in place overnight at Lockington / Matahui roads for construction of the asphalt layers within the roundabout area during early September. 

• 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 by late-2023. 
• SH2 Pongakawa: Road rebuilding commences Monday 18 September. Initial works will take place on the road shoulder, followed by six weeks of stop/go traffic management with a westbound detour option via Pukehina Road, Old Coach Road and Pongakawa Station Road. Delays and additional travel time are expected. 

Rotorua

• SH5 Utuhina Bridge: Resilience work on the Utuhina Bridge commences Monday 25 September. A road closure between Sunset Road and Pukuatua Street will be in place for approximately three weeks. Local detours will be in place, however HPMV will need to use SH5, SH1 and SH30 via Ātiamuri. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/new-life-for-aging-bridge-significant-road-closure-for-rotorua/(external link)
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places there is stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Moderate traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link) 
• SH30 Rotorua Airport: Road rebuilding between Rotorua Airport and 875 Te Ngae Road commences Sunday 10 September, continuing through to mid-October. Temporary traffic management will be in place, and there will be one lane available in each direction at all times to minimise disruption. These works are weather dependent, so may need to be postponed, delayed, and/or extended beyond the expected completion date. 
• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: The majority of the construction activity is now complete on the new roundabout. Temporary traffic management will be in place as needed including speed restrictions, and shoulder closures along Rangiteorere Road while this is underway. Final surfacing will be completed in October. More information(external link).
• SH30 Te Ngae Junction to Whakatāne: Contractors are installing new speed limit signs along this state highway corridor. This work is expected to be complete late September. While this work is underway there may be shoulder closures and temporary speed limits in place. More information(external link)
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on the SH33 safety improvements project continues with work between Allport Road and Mourea. 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).

Eastern Bay of Plenty 

• SH2 Edgecumbe: Road rehabilitation commences Monday 18 September near the Omeheu Canal. Traffic management will be in place, including single direction closures from 18 September until mid-October, followed by a full road closure from mid-October until mid-November, 9am to 3:30pm each day. Work is expected to be complete by late November. 
• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge:  Investigations are ongoing for the most effective way of repairing the bridge. The 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. 
• SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Wainui Road and Woodlands Road near Ōpōtiki 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.  

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay 

• SH2 Waioeka Gorge: The foam bitumen stabilisation and asphalt resurfacing programmes continue, with road closures taking place between the hours of 7pm and 5am each night, Sunday to Thursday. On work nights a hard closure is in place at Ōpōtiki from 6pm due to the distance to the worksite near Matawai.  
• SH5 Napier – Taupō: Progress continues at a number of slip sites at the Hawke’s Bay end of SH5. Stop/go traffic management is in place at various sites, along with temporary speed limits. 

Manawatū-Whanganui 

• SH1 Utiku: A ‘slow slip’ has resulted in cracking between Micklesons Road and Utiku South Road. A 30km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the area, along with a temporary re-alignment and narrowing of traffic lanes. 
• 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 Streat road retreat: A 30km/h temporary speed restriction remains in place at Auraki Stream road retreat project site. Vehicles are now able to utilise the new section of road, the project is expected to be completed in October. 

Waikato 
 
East Waikato 

• SH25: Recovery works are underway at a number of sites, with temporary traffic management and reduced speed limits in place where required. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh25-sh25a-thames-coromandel(external link)
• SH25: Temporary speed limits are being put in place for sections of SH25 to manage safety risks due to an increase in traffic, following the closure of SH25A. The new speeds will come into force in each location as signage is installed. 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, and the bridge is expected to be open in March 2024. More information.  
• SH26 Morrinsville: Road repair work will be undertaken at night from mid-September onwards at multiple locations. This work will require road users to use short detours. Following this, further repair work will be completed on SH26, outside the dairy factory, in October. 

Central Waikato 

• SH1 Ātiamuri: Side and median barriers have been installed on a 4.5km stretch of highway south of Ātiamuri. Finishing works and final surfacing will be completed in warmer weather. 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. 
• SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations take place into options for repair. 

West Waikato 

• SH1B Taupiri: Road resurfacing work will take place at the SH1/SH1B interchange at Taupiri, from Sunday 17 September for 5 nights, between 6pm and 6am each night. Access to SH1B and the service centre via the Taupiri interchange will be restricted during this time.  Detours are available via Horotiu and Ngāruawāhia or Huntly and Taupiri. This work is weather dependent. More information(external link). 
• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia Section: Safety improvements and remedial works require the closure of a single lane in each direction with a 50km/h temporary speed limit, until completion in May 2024. Night-time closures and detours are required over coming weeks: a southbound closure will be in place between Sunday 10 and Thursday 14 September and then northbound will close between Sunday 8 and Thursday 12 October. More information(external link). 
• SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: Remedial works require various interchange ramp closures over one month starting Sunday 10 September. SH1 traffic will be managed through the site with a temporary speed restriction of 50km/h. More information(external link). 
• SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout continues with at least 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. 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 in September 2023. More information.  
• SH1 Karāpiro (Gorton Road): Road rebuilding commences with night work beginning on Sunday 17 Initially some drainage work will be completed at night under stop/go traffic management, following this pavement repair work will be undertaken. This will require a day-time detour for southbound traffic via Karāpiro Road, Taotaoroa Road and SH29. Northbound traffic will remain on SH1. Overnight the detour will not be required as all traffic will remain on SH1, travelling through stop/go at the site to manage safety. Southbound heavy vehicles will be given the option of being held at the site and let through at regular intervals, or they can use the detour. Emergency services will be provided with access through the site at all times. 
• SH1 Karāpiro (Keeley’s Reserve): Construction of a turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve is set to start the week of Monday 11 September. The reserve will be closed for the construction period, which is expected to take up to 9 weeks, weather permitting. The speed limit near the reserve will reduce from 100km/h to 50km/h northbound and 70km/h southbound, Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm each day. Motorists are advised to prepare for minor delays. Once completed, the right turn out of Keeley’s Reserve onto SH1 will remain open until the turnaround at Tunakawa Road is built early next year and more flexible safety median barriers are installed, at which point the right turn out of Keeley’s Reserve will be permanently closed. More information(external link). 
• 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: Due to a drop out between Kōpaki Road and Ohirea Road intersection there is stop/go traffic management in place with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. Remedial works have started and are expected to be completed by the end of September. Caution is advised when travelling through this area.

North Waikato 

• SH1 Hampton Downs: There will be a full northbound closure on Monday 11 and Wednesday 13 September between 10pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. 
• SH1 Mercer: There will be a full northbound closure between Oram Road and Mercer on Tuesday 12 September between 11pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. 
• SH1 Mercer: The northbound on-ramp will be closed on Thursday 14 September between 9pm and 5am. Please take the Mercer southbound on-ramp and turn around at Hampton Downs interchange to get back on SH1 at Hampton Downs via the northbound on-ramp. 
• SH1 Meremere: There will be a full northbound closure between Springhill Road and Oram Road on Wednesday 13 September between 9pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.  
• SH2 Mangatāwhiri: Stop/go traffic management will be in place between McPherson Road and Dobson Road on Monday 11 September between 10pm and 5am. 
• SH2 Mangatāwhiri: There will be a full closure in both directions between Mangatāwhiri Road and Rawiri Road on Tuesday 12 September between 10pm and 5am. Please use the recommended detour via Mangatawhiri Road and Rawiri Road 
• SH2 Maramarua: Stop/go traffic management will be in place between Wyatt Road and Coalfields Road on Wednesday 13 September, between 10pm and 5am. 

Taranaki 

• SH3 Mount Messenger:  Due to slip stabilisation works, a temporary speed restriction of 30km/h with stop/go is in place daily between 7am and 5pm until Saturday 9 September. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes when travelling through this area. 
• 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 15 minutes are expected. 

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(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.