The recent spate of wet weather has had a significant impact on the state highway roading network across New Zealand, including in the Bay of Plenty region, where repair work is taking place throughout the second half of June into early July.
Water has the same effect on roads as plaque does on teeth; it attacks the road structure and when it is not treated - it causes decay. Throughout winter contractors focus on completing minor repairs to maintain the integrity of the road before more permanent repairs can be completed in the warmer months.
As well as this, contractors are continually monitoring the network and proactively managing isolated issues as they appear, says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.
“We have a regular process to inspect the state highway network across the Bay of Plenty region, and this allows us to respond quickly to issues as they appear on the network.
“During the colder months we need to deal with ice in some areas. Our key weapon against ice on the roads is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), sometimes mixed with grit. This substance lowers the temperature at which water on the road surface freezes. We apply this based on local knowledge of hazard spots, and thermal mapping. The thermal mapping process uses data from strategically placed remote-reporting weather stations to predict where icing is likely to occur on the network.
“As always, it is important to drive to the conditions, and we encourage road users to slow down in areas we have applied CMA and/or grit.
“Finally, there will be times when we are unaware of issues on the extensive Bay of Plenty network, such as individual potholes, isolated flooding or slips. If you come across these type of issues we encourage you to advise us via 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) so we can respond as quickly as possible.”
A list of the programmed repairs throughout the Bay of Plenty region for the remainder of June is as follows:
SH5 Rotorua (Ngongotahā)
Pavement repairs will be completed on the westbound (Hamilton-bound) lane between the Ngongotahā roundabout (SH5/SH36) and Paradise Valley Road. This work will take place on Sunday 19 June from 9pm to 5am the next morning. During this time the westbound lane will be closed, with a detour via SH36 and Western Road.
HPMV are unable to utilise the detour route and will either need to wait for the work to be completed or use SH30 and SH1 via Tokoroa.
SH2 Karangahake Gorge
Due to major pavement maintenance works in the Karangahake Gorge, SH2 will be closed overnight between Paeroa and Waihi on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 June from 8pm to 5am each night. The road will be open from 5am to 8pm with speed restrictions in place.
SH2 Katikati to Tauranga
Multiple sites will be repaired from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 June, between the hours of 7pm and 6am. Stop/go traffic management will be in place with a temporary speed limit in place past the worksite.
Tauranga
On Sunday 26 the SH2 Hewletts Road Flyover will be closed overnight from 6pm until 6am the next morning. During this time traffic will be detoured via Hewletts Road and Maunganui Road. Minor delays are expected during the work period.
Multiple sites on SH29 Takitimu Drive will be repaired on Thursday 30 June between the hours of 7pm and 6am. Stop/go traffic management will be in place with a temporary speed limit in place past the worksite.
Waka Kotahi thanks you for your patience while we complete this essential work to make our state highways safer and more resilient.
