With the holidays just around the corner Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wants to see a safe summer on State Highway 2.

Bay of Plenty system manager Roger Brady says we're coming to the end of what has been a long and difficult year for many, and we all deserve a safe and relaxing holiday.

'Deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not inevitable, and we shouldn't accept that serious crashes are just another part of the holidays. We're all human and we can all make mistakes, but every one of us also has the power to make decisions which will help keep the roads safer for everyone,” says Roger.

'With more cars expected on SH2, there is naturally more risk, so it's more important than ever that people take care when they're driving so everyone arrives where they're going safely.

'We all need to do the simple things to keep safe on the road. That means driving to the conditions, watching your following distance and keeping your speed down. It also means resting before you set off on your journey and sharing the driving if you can.

'Please plan your journey in advance, visit Journey Planner for travel times and allow plenty of extra time to get to your holiday destinations,” says Mr Brady.

'To minimise delays non-essential road works on our highways will be paused from this Wednesday, December 23, to January 5. But even with this non-essential work paused, SH2 will be very busy.

'It's not a race. You're on holiday, so take your time, and be courteous to other drivers. Everybody is just trying to get where they're going safely,” says Roger.

Visit journeys.nzta.govt.nz before you head off for the latest information on road works, road closures and delays.

This is what you can expect to see on SH2 between Waihī and Tauranga this week:

Overnight asphalt works, Monday 20 December – Overnight asphalt works will be undertaken on SH2 at Te Puna in both directions between Clarke Road and Te Puna Road on Monday 20 December. Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place during the works, which will be carried out between 8pm and 5am (Tuesday). This work was rescheduled from earlier this month due to wet weather.

Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project – week commencing 20 December

• 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 – final watermain relocation connections and tidy up are underway. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.
• Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection – roundabout preparation works are ongoing. Expect minor delays of about five minutes, particularly on the side roads.
• Lund Road to Aongatete Road – road widening, earthworks, drainage and service relocation works between Lund Road and Aongatete Road continue with a focus on the Wright Road intersection. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

Note: From Thursday 23 December we will be reducing the amount of temporary traffic management ahead of the Christmas-New Year holiday period. Temporary speed limits will remain in place with shoulder closures and road cones at various sites within the project length.

What to expect between Monday 27 December and Sunday January 9

• Athenree Road to Tanners Point Road – No activities on site but temporary speed limits will remain in place with shoulder closures and road cones Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.
• Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection – No activities on site but watch for shoulder closures and road cones.
• Lund Road to Aongatete Road – No activities on site but watch for shoulder closures and road cones.

Takitimu North Link preparation works (these works are expected to continue from 10 January)

• Wairoa Road (off SH2) – near Oliver Road, southbound shoulder closure in place, not anticipated to impact traffic.
• Harrison Road (off Cambridge Road) – shoulder closure in place while archaeological investigations take place. No delays anticipated.
• Cambridge/Moffat Road – shoulder closure in place while surveying works take place. No delays anticipated.
• Richard Way (off Cambridge Road) – now closed to the general public, authorised access only.
• Cambridge Road – Stop/Go for tree felling along this area near 310 Cambridge Road. Closures only in effect when necessary.

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)