Waka Kotahi update - State Highway works for January 2023
16 January 2023
As many New Zealanders return from their summer holidays, so too do the road workers of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The early focus for many, especially those in the Coromandel, was on the response to the impacts of Ex-Cyclone Hale. These events require a full team response, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“Our contractors have systems in place to ensure they can respond quickly to any events on the network during an event like Ex-Cyclone Hale. Once the scale of each issue is known, plans are made to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
“Our East Waikato team has worked hard to restore access as quickly as possible to the Coromandel Peninsula. We acknowledge residents and those on holiday rely on the state highways to travel to the rest of the country, and being isolated for any period of time is less than ideal.”
Ms Lauder says that while there is still some clean-up to be undertaken in the coming weeks, the focus is switching to the remainder of the road renewal programme.
“We have had a very wet summer so far. We have a lot of work to complete over the next three months, and road users can expect to have their journeys disrupted by roadwork sites across the region.
“It is important to plan ahead and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Our crews will ensure that sites are finished or closed down over key travel periods, such as Auckland Anniversary weekend and Waitangi Day weekend. Check the Summer Journeys traffic prediction tool before these weekends to see when to avoid travelling on key routes.” https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/holiday-journeys/
Outside long weekends road users are encouraged to use the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz), which provides real-time updates of network conditions, including traffic delays.
ROTORUA WORK:
- 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. Temporary traffic management will be in place with no left turn lane out of Basley Road to SH30/Te Ngae Road, and no left turn from the SH30/Te Ngae Road westbound lane into Tennyson Drive; minor delays are expected. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside between Iles Road to Tennyson Drive, heading east on SH30/Te Ngae Road, is now open. Minor delays are expected. As the footpath is upgraded there are closures in place. People walking and cycling are asked to take extra care and follow the marked detours, using the temporary signalised pedestrian crossings at the mid-block between Basley Road and Tennyson Drive, and at the eastern end of Puketāwhero Park on SH30/Te Ngae Road to cross SH30/ Te Ngae Road safely. On Monday 16 January, between 7pm and 6am, temporary traffic management will be in place with a full road closure on SH30/Te Ngae Road from Iles road to Ōwhata roundabout with a detour in place. This may cause minor delays. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.
- SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Construction of safety improvements continue with excavation, stabilising and pavement work underway on the western side, with a shoulder closure in place. At times there will be minor traffic delays, and people are asked to take extra care while travelling through the site. More information.
- SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. Temporary traffic management is in place with a contra flow or stop/go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h during work hours. When the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. More information.