Waka Kotahi September Update
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 | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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/
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with: Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/trafficFacebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoPTwitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBPJourney planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nzPhone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) |