Contractors working on key state highway holiday routes in the Waikato will stop from 12 noon on Thursday April 2 until the early hours of Tuesday April 7 to reduce delays to motorists over the Easter break, the NZ Transport Agency says.
Following the long weekend, speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management will be in place at various state highway sites as work on the Waikato Expressway and summer construction and maintenance work continues.
Motorists are advised to drive with care and allow extra time when travelling.
Sites where delays of between five and 15 minutes are possible are detailed below to allow motorists to plan ahead when travelling.
SH2 Karangahake Gorge road closure
State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Karangahake Gorge will be closed to all traffic from 9pm Thursday April 9 until 5.30am the following day.
People wishing to travel between Waihi and Paeroa during the closure can use an alternative route via SH25/25A, however this will add about 1hr 15mins to the trip.
Motorists travelling between Auckland and Tauranga are advised to use SH29 over the Kaimai Range.
The closure is necessary to allow contractors to resurface a narrow 200m section of the gorge road between Paeroa and Waihi, near the Karangahake Reserve.
On April 10 there will be additional work in the area near Mackaytown
Ngaruawahia section
The south-bound lanes of the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway will be closed from April 8 until later in the month so the final road surface can be laid. Traffic using those lanes will be detoured on to the old SH1 route via Ngaruawahia.
Motorists are advised to allow an extra 5-10 minutes when travelling on this route.
Cambridge section
Speed restrictions remain in place on SH1 and SH1B as work continues on the Cambridge section.
50km/h speed restrictions will be in place on SH1 between Golf Hill and Tirau Road from Tuesday April 7 until May 15 for road works.
Motorists should allow an extra five minutes when travelling on this route.
State Highway 3-Raynes Road between Hamilton and airport turnoff
Stop/ go traffic management and a speed restriction of 30km/h is in place during April Monday to Saturday.
Contractors are building a right turn bay for north bound traffic and realigning the corner.
Motorists should allow an extra 5 minutes or consider using SH21 if travelling to Hamilton Airport.
SH3 Kihikihi road reconstruction and resurfacing
Speed restriction of 30km/h in place until April 21 to allow contractors to reconstruct a 1.2km section of highway from Whitmore Street south.
The work will be carried out Monday to Saturday and motorists should allow for delays of approximately five minutes when travelling this route.
SH1 Putaruru reconstruction and resurfacing
Speed restriction of 30km/h will be in place from Central Street to the bridge, 1km north of town to allow contractors to reconstruct and re-seal the highway.
The work is underway during daylight hours, Monday to Friday until April 8.
Motorists are advised to allow an extra five minutes when travelling this route.
SH3 Kio Kio road reconstruction
Traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place between Kio Kio Station Road and Roberts Road until April 10. The work will be carried out between Monday and Saturday and motorists are advised to plan for short delays when using this route.
SH3 Paemako Reserve, Piopio
Stop/ go traffic management will be in place on a 200m section of Sh3 until April 24 to allow contractors to secure a roadside bank, 8km west of Piopio.
Motorists are advised to allow an extra 5 minutes to their journey.
SH26 safety improvements
Traffic management and speed restrictions of 30km/h will be in place between the Kuranui Road intersection and Motumaoha Bridge from March 25 until April 7.
Contractors will be installing guard rails and a turning bay during daylight hours from Monday to Saturday.
Motorists are advised to expect short delays when travelling on this route.
SH1-Shakespeare Street, Cambridge, roundabout revamp
Work to continue until end of April. Anything that may impact on the road is intended to be done under night works. Temporary speed reductions are in place.
SH3/37 Waitomo turnoff roundabout construction
Work continues until end of May.
Traffic will be managed through the site. Speed restriction 30km/h. Expect short delays.
SH3 Te Kuiti road reconstruction
Traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be in place between George Street and King Street to allow contractors to reconstruct and resurface the road.
The work will be underway Monday through to Saturday from April 7 until April 17.
Motorists should allow an extra five minutes when travelling on this route.
SH29 Anderson Bridge guardrail safety improvements
Traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be in place near the SH1 intersection between Hinuera and Piarere from April 7 until early May.
The work will be completed during week days only. Motorists should allow an extra five minutes when travelling on this route.
The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and understanding.
For real time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link)
For more information please contact:
Natalie Dixon
Waikato / Bay of Plenty Media Manager
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928 413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz
