Road contractors are continuing to work hard across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway network in the lead up to the Easter and Anzac Day holiday period.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and its contractors are completing an ambitious programme to improve safety and resilience of the network, however like many other workplaces, contractors are experiencing Covid-19 cases amongst their workforces, which may cause plans to change at short notice, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.

'Waka Kotahi takes seriously our responsibilities for the safety of our staff, contractors and members of the public. All worksites have comprehensive Covid-19 protocols and work plans in place for the various Covid-19 traffic light settings and Omicron phases, which are strictly adhered to.

'Our contractors have also undertaken extensive planning to make sure essential maintenance can continue on Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highways so they remain safe.

'However, there may be some disruption to other planned works. We are also experiencing less favourable weather conditions; whilst this has been most notable on the East Coast, any wet weather will prevent resealing works taking place as expected.

'We thank people for their patience as we support our contractors to manage the health and safety of their workforces while continuing to ensure the state highway network remains safe for all those who use it.”

Check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) before you travel for up-to-date information.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Enabling works continue on Wairoa Road and Minden Road, with service relocations taking place until late March. Shoulder closures will be in place throughout the week on Cambridge Road while Powerco work takes place, stop/go traffic management is planned for Saturday 2 April and minor delays expected. On SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road a reduced speed limit of 80km/hr will be in place while service relocation works take place. More information.
• SH2 Waihi Road Overbridge: The Waihi Road overbridge will be closed between 6pm and 5:30am on Sunday 27 March, to allow the removal of a damaged gantry and associated directional signage. Detour via Waihi Road, Cambridge Road, Sterling Gate Drive and Beaumaris Boulevard.

A further closure will take place in the near future to replace the gantry and sign.

• SH2 Hewletts Road: As part of the Totara Street cycleway project, night works will take place from late April through to June 2022, from 8pm to 5am each night between Tasman Quay and Totara Street. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane through the intersection. Minimal delays are expected. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link: A small section of Girven Road (between Gloucester Road intersection and the Bayfair roundabout) has been reduced to one lane in each direction, to allow construction of the permanent road along the two central lanes of Girven Road. Asphalting works in the middle of Girven Road are currently scheduled to take place from Thursday 24 to Friday 25 March (from approximately 7pm until 7am). Two lanes in each direction are expected to be restored overnight on Sunday 27 March. Work is weather dependent, and if any factors cause delays then work will be carried out on the next suitable night. Minor delays are expected. More information.
• SH29 Tauriko West: Investigation works to provide the information needed for the next steps of the Tauriko West enabling works are expected to start from Monday 28 March through to early-May 2022. Works will mostly take place overnight between 7pm and 6am, with generally one active work site at any time. It is expected that most works will be completed over one to two nights at each location. This will include topographical surveys, locating buried services, and geotechnical investigations to determine the ground conditions. The investigations will generate some noise due to the machinery and equipment used, and will involve the use of temporary lighting. Traffic management will include shoulder and lane closures. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at four active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lund Road to Sargent Drive and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected.

Tetley Road is temporarily closed between SH2 and Rereatukahia Pā Road for approximately two months. Detour routes are available, and only add a couple of minutes to the overall travel time. Please follow detour signage. More information.

Rotorua

• SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā: Barrier installation is underway between Dalbeth Road to just north of the golf course. Traffic management will be in place. These works are expected to be complete in April 2022. More information.
• SH30A Amohau Road: Chipsealing continues on Thursday 24 March, with southbound (towards Rotorua Airport) closures from 7pm to 6am, for three nights. Detours will be in place, and minor delays are expected.

During the day there will be a 30km speed limit through this area, while the new seal beds in. More information.

• SH30 Te Ngae Road, Basley Road to Coulter Road: Service location for SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two is underway. Traffic management will be in place. More information.
• SH30 Te Ngae Road, Iles Road to Ōwhata Road: Geotechnical investigations will be taking place early next week, weather permitting. Work near Iles Road will be completed first with works in the footpath and grass berm. Further testing will be completed in a single location near the Ōwhata roundabout. Traffic management and stop/go will be in place between 9am and 3pm, which may cause moderate delays. This work is expected to be completed within two days.
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues on the section north of Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curve passing lane. This includes widening the shoulders, installing a wide centreline and installing roadside safety barriers. More information.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waioeka River Bridge: Resealing of the Waioeka River Bridge will take place on Friday 25 March from 9pm. There will be 30-minute periods where traffic is held either side of the bridge to allow for sealing. The bridge will be under stop/go traffic management on Saturday with a reduced speed limit while the new seal beds in. Delays are expected.
• SH2 Waioeka Gorge: HPMV strengthening work on four bridges in the Waioeka Gorge continues, and is expected to be complete in early-April 2022. The bridges are Owhiritoa Stream Bridge, Omaukora Bridge, Gibson Bridge and Sandys Bridge. Bridge crossing restrictions apply to heavy freight vehicles.
• SH35 Raukokore River Bridge: Bridge repairs have taken place; the bridge is open to traffic with the ‘80% of Class 1' weight restriction lifted for 50MAX and Heavy General Access Vehicles. Heavy vehicles remain restricted to the posted speed limit of 10km/h while crossing the bridge, and all other vehicles will be temporarily speed restricted to 30km/h until early April, while steel plates remain on the bridge deck to protect the repaired areas. More information.
• SH35 Ōpōtiki to Cape Runaway: Asphalt and chipsealing activities will take place on SH35 between Ōpōtiki and Cape Runaway during the week commencing Monday 28 March. Expect delays due to stop/stop or stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits.