Waka Kotahi update
9 February 2023
Bay of Plenty state highway works for February 2023
Recent rain events have had a significant impact on accessibility across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region, particular over Anniversary weekend.
Work is ongoing to respond to numerous overslips, especially throughout the Coromandel on State Highway 25, however particular issues will require longer term solutions, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport System.
“Over the past week we have been watching the cracking at the summit of SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai grow, and eventually the road and lane underneath has given way. As soon as possible we will commence geotechnical investigations to help develop a plan for the appropriate repair.
“More recently we have seen a similar effect on SH23 between Whatawhata and Raglan, with a section of saturated road cracking and slumping. The road is closed currently due to continued movement, and we will investigate what can be done once the site has dried out and stopped moving.”
The rain has also affected project sites across the region, and put a damper on the road renewals programme.
“We can’t complete road resealing or rebuilding when it is wet, as moisture significantly affects the quality of work,” says Ms Lauder. “As we continue the recovery from the recent weather we will also see sealing crews back out on the network as soon as possible.”
“We still have a couple of months to complete our road renewal programme. We will make the most of this time to complete as much work as possible before the cooler months.
Bay of Plenty
Tauranga
- Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities will continue between Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko including Cambridge Road, Harrison Road, Wairoa Road, Minden Road, Loop Road and State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. The new Harrison Road alignment will open with new seal and line marking scheduled in the coming weeks, when there is consistent fine weather. People may notice an increase in truck movements along Moffat Road over the summer months as earthworks ramp up in the Tauriko/Bethlehem area. More information.
- SH2 Bay Link: Asphalt work on State Highway 2 (SH2) underneath Te Maunga interchange and on Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) is scheduled to take place from Tuesday 7 February to Thursday 9 February. As required, a single, southbound lane closure on the TEL onramp (from the SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange) and on SH29A at the intersection with SH2 will be in place from 7pm to 6am each night. This work is weather dependent. More information.
- SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. More information.
- SH2 15th Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/15th Avenue and Cameron Road. Traffic management will be in place on the two northern corners, and there will be a reduced number of northbound lanes on Cameron Road. Minor delays are expected.
- SH2 Chapel Street Viaduct: The Mirrelees Eastbound Off-ramp (Sulphur Point exit) will be closed on Tuesday 7 February between the hours of 7pm and 6am, to allow bridge maintenance to take place. This work is weather permitting, and will be postponed if required. A detour will be in place via the Otumoetai off-ramp immediately prior, Chapel Street and Marsh Street.
- 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. Whilst earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed applies. 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 April 2023. More information.
The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project has commenced. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h will apply through the site. More information.
Western Bay of Plenty
- SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lockington Road / Matahui Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Pavement work to complete the Rea Road / Tetley Road roundabout will take place as soon as there is consistent fine weather. There is an unsealed section northbound of the Morton Road roundabout awaiting sealing. Minor delays are expected. More information.
Stop/go traffic management will be in place during the day at the Morton Road roundabout site on Tuesday 7 February. Significant delays are expected throughout the day, road users should consider delaying or postponing any non-essential travel.
Rotorua
- SH36 Hamurana: A daytime road closure will be in place from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February, between 9am and 5pm each day, to allow road resealing and other maintenance activities to take place near the Mangapouri Bridge. The closure will be between Dudley Road and Kaharoa Road, detour routes are via SH33 and SH2 or SH5, SH28 and SH29.
- SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park. Temporary traffic management will be in place with all eastbound traffic - including heavy haulage - required to turn at Vaughan Road and follow detours. Any local eastbound traffic at the Iles Road intersection will be required to take the right turn at Iles Road and follow detours. One lane of westbound traffic will be maintained from the Ōwhata roundabout to Iles Road, with a lane shift between 411 Te Ngae Road and Basley Road. Tennyson Drive is closed at the intersection with SH30/Te Ngae Road. There is no exit from Basley Road onto SH30/Te Ngae Road - detours are in place - and there is a temporary left hand turn into Basley Road from SH30/ Te Ngae Road. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and Basley Road is closed. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.
- SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Construction of safety improvements continue on the western side of the intersection, with a shoulder closure in place. 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, at time a stop/go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place 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.
Eastern Bay of Plenty
- SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne: Pavement and utility site investigation work will occur during the week along SH30, between the SH30/SH2 and SH30/Shaw Road intersections. Work will be undertaken at night under stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit.
- SH2 Waioeka Gorge: An underslip at the road edge sees a section of road under priority give-way. Care is required when driving through this area.