Recent wet weather has forced the NZ Transport Agency to delay the scheduled traffic switch onto the new eastbound lanes, between Mangatawa and Domain Road, as part the Tauranga Eastern Link.

The traffic switch and associated changes at the Kairua Road and State Highway 2 intersection, which becomes a permanent left-in and left-out only intersection, will now take place later in April, after Anzac Day.

Proposed lane changes on the Tauranga Eastern Link have been postponed until later this month. File photo.

NZTA says work will still be carried out on this section of highway in the coming weeks.

'Motorists are asked to continue to drive with care through this area,” says a statement from the roading organisation.

From today, all east bound traffic will be moved onto the new lanes during the day, with a temporary speed restriction of 50 km/h, to allow for the bedding in of the chip seal surface on the new TEL east bound lanes.

'During this time the SH2/Kairua Road intersection will be temporarily changed to a ‘left in' and ‘left out' only intersection,” says NZTA.

'By 3.30pm each day, traffic will be switched back onto the existing SH2 and the existing layout of the SH2/Kairua Road intersection will be reinstated, until the end of the month.”