Normal traffic flows are expected to return to State Highway 2 as children return to school next week.

Waka Kotahi Transport Agency is advising that activity along this route will start to ramp up.

Bay of Plenty System Manager Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady, says Waka Kotahi is working hard with contractors and suppliers to deliver better journeys.

'In a number of instances, we have been able to change the way we carry out the works along SH2; avoiding Stop / Go operations and maintaining two-way traffic flow, doing patching works at night and keeping works in the busier areas to between 9am and 3pm.”

This is what you can expect to see along your journey this week between Waihī and Tauranga:

-Athenree Curves area, east of Turners Road – from Sunday 17 October, maintenance pre-seal repairs will be carried out between 7pm and 5am, over several sites, starting east of Turners Road and may continue to Tuesday night. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

-Francis Road to Ōmokoroa Road –Downer will be carrying out PowerCo works between 9.30am and 3pm on Tuesday 19 October. Expected delays of approximately five minutes.

-Athenree Road to Tanners Point Road – road widening works continue throughout the week. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

-Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road – power and watermain relocations are under way, with expected completion late-October. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

-Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection – works alongside the highway. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

-Sharp Road to Sargent Drive – road widening works continue throughout the week. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

'We want to keep everyone safe, including our road workers. Speeding through roadworks puts the safety of other road users and our road workers at risk, and we ask that people please slow down, leave space and be patient.

'While delays can't always be avoided, Waka Kotahi is striving to provide better quality information and advance notice of possible delays,” says Mr Brady.

'Considerable planning is done with our team and suppliers to look at historic traffic and travel trend data, and what worked and didn't work last season. While we aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible, the reality is there will be delays to journeys.

'Thank you to those people who take the time to give feedback to the team at Waka Kotahi, we are listening and always looking to improve our approach.”

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)