Expected traffic congestion and delays today

More than 20,000 people are expected to descend on Tauranga for Bay Dreams in January. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive.

Today will be a busy day for the city's roads with up to 20,000 people expected to attend Bay Dreams music festival at Trustpower Baypark Stadium.

To manage event traffic, the roads around the stadium will be closed to all vehicles except festival buses.

Most ticketholders will be using the free drop and ride bus service at Blake Park, Gordon Spratt Reserve and Durham St in the city centre.

A managed pedestrian route will be in place through Eversham Estate for people walking from Arataki to Baypark, and back when the event finishes.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises there will be extensive traffic management in place around Baypark Arena and the surrounding area.

"A number of temporary road closures are in place on State Highway 2 between Bayfair and Sandhurst Drive," says a spokesperson for the roading agency.

"Motorists are advised to use alternative routes where possible or plan their travel outside of festival hours to avoid potential delays and detours.

"Up to 20,000 people are anticipated to attend the main event on January 3, which starts at 11am and finishes at 10.30pm."

State Highway 2 will be closed in both directions between Girven Rd and Sandhurst Dr tonight from 7pm, January 3 to 1am, January 4. More specifically, the closures are as follows:

  • SH2 between Te Maunga intersection (SH29A) and Sandhurst Drive, in both directions (heading towards Papamoa and Mount Maunganui).

  • SH2 between Bayfair Roundabout and Te Maunga intersection (SH29A), eastbound lanes only (heading towards Papamoa and Maungatapu)

  • SH29A between SH2 and Maungatapu, southbound lane only.

Motorists are advised to follow the posted detours.

In addition to these closures, Truman Lane will also be closed from 7pm, January 2 to 6am January 4.

Signposted detours will be in place via Girven Road, Maranui Street and Sandhurst Drive.

"If you are travelling at these times, please drive with caution, reduce your speed and follow the directions provided on traffic management signage."

For more information about Bay Dreams visit the event website at baydreams.co.nz/the-mount

For any complaints during the Bay Dreams festival please call or text 0274 116 116. For noise complaints please call Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000.

SH2 Paeroa to Tauranga traffic congestion

Traffic is expected to be busy in both directions through this area between 10am and 5pm today Sunday January 3. Road users are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys or consider travelling outside these periods. Please drive to the conditions.

SH29 Kaimai Ranges traffic congestion

Traffic is expected to be busy in both directions through this area between 10am and 4pm today Sunday January 3. Road users are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys or consider travelling outside this period. Please drive to the conditions.

Waimana Gorge closed with detours in place

NZ Transport Agency advise that a slip and flooding in Waimana Gorge has closed State Highway 2 in both directions. The Waimana Gorge is located between Taneatua and Waimana and will remain closed until further notice.

Motorists are advised to avoid this route or delay their journey if possible. There are detour routes in place that are not suitable for HPMVs.

For southbound traffic, turn left onto Taneatua Rd, continue onto Valley Rd, at the roundabout take the third exit onto Gorge Rd, continue onto Ohope Rd, continue onto Pohutakawa Ave, continue onto Wainui Rd, turn left to rejoin SH2 southbound to Opotiki. Northbound traffic route is in reverse to southbound.

Motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website at journeys.nzta.govt.nz for up to date information on traffic, detours and delays.

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5 comments

event

Posted on 03-01-2021 08:27 | By dumbkof2

they forgot the most important advice. watch out for the drunk and drugged drivers


Keepitreal

Posted on 03-01-2021 10:08 | By Keepitreel

Theres always one negative dumbk..t2 try and put a damper on other peoples hard efforts to host postive events for the younger generation and with well organized transportation in place,party on young people stay safe


Keepitreel

Posted on 03-01-2021 10:15 | By Keepitreel

There's always one negative dumbk..t2 try and put a damper on a positive event for the younger generation with well organized transportation.Congratulations to the organizers and enjoy the day young people


keepitreel

Posted on 03-01-2021 13:19 | By dumbkof2

not trying to put a dampner on it at all just telling others to be careful i have had first hand knowledge of the drugs taking that goes on at these things beats me why they need these drugs in the first place


@ keepitreel

Posted on 03-01-2021 20:01 | By Yadick

That's a bad bite at dumbkof2. I don't see at all, in any way that his comment is putting a dampener on things. His comment is in fact very apt and I agree wholeheartedly with him. There is nothing negative about it. I also agree with your comment, 'party on people and enjoy the day' . . . But stay safe. You don't need drugs and drunken behavior and driving.


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