People are being warned to expect delays around the city as large scale events make their return.

Following the successful return of the AIMS Games, the Bay of Plenty region continues to see events taking place over the next fortnight.

Saturday, September 17, sees the return of the Rotorua Marathon, before the Tauranga Marathon and Bay of Plenty vs Southland Bunnings NPC match both take place in Tauranga on Sunday, September 18.

'As large-scale events return to our cities, residents and visitors should expect some delays,” says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager at Waka Kotahi.

Both local Councils and Waka Kotahi have a number of significant projects that are taking place across the road network within the city, and road users are encouraged to use the Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz) to check for real-time updates online ahead of leaving for their destination.

'If drivers, especially those who may not have travelled inter-regionally in a while, know what is happening on the roads, they can better prepare for the trip ahead and allow extra time to get to their destination safely.

'For those driving to and from Rotorua or Tauranga, the Journey Planner will also help with route planning. The effects of recent weather events are still being felt throughout the wider Bay of Plenty region and further afield. There are sections of the state highway network that are down to one lane with traffic management in place to manage traffic through site.

'Please allow extra time while travelling as there will be an increase in traffic before and after events take place.”

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Tauranga Marathon: The Tauranga Marathon takes place on Sunday 18 September. With the third Bunnings NPC game being played on the same day at Tauranga Domain, the city centre is likely to be busier than usual and drivers should expect some delays. As part of the marathon traffic management, the SH2 Chapel Street off-ramp will be closed from 7.30am – 2pm with a signposted detour in place. More information.
• Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities are taking place between Te Puna and Bethlehem. This includes stop/go traffic management in place at Wairoa Road, and a number of shoulder closures and temporary speed limits. More information.
• SH2 Tauranga Bridge: Bridge joint repairs will be undertaken between Tauranga Marina and Chapel Street, between 8pm and 4am overnight Sunday 11 September. During this time the westbound off-ramp at Chapel Street will be closed, with a detour via the Dive Crescent off-ramp and Marsh Street.
• SH2 Hewletts Road: As part of the Tauranga City Council Totara Street cycleway project, work at the intersection of SH2 Hewletts Road and Totara Street is scheduled to begin on Monday 19 September, and will be completed in November. Construction works will include signalising the existing slip lane and upgrading the island to provide a fully signalised crossing for shared path users. These works will take place between Tasman Quay and Totara Street each night between 8pm and 5am. Eastbound traffic along Hewletts Road will be reduced to one lane during this time. Minimal delays are expected. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link: Drivers are reminded of the new layout at the Bayfair roundabout. For people approaching the roundabout from Matapihi, the left lane is now a left turn only and the right lane is for traffic going straight through and turning right. More information.

• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A section of the Kopurererua Valley cycleway is temporarily closed while services are relocated alongside SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. While this work is underway there is a reduced speed limit of 80km/h in place. As part of the Powerco service relocation works there will be drilling work to install cables under SH29 / Takitimu Drive Toll Road on Tuesday 13 September. A reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be in place and a Stop/Stop while drilling is in progress. Stop time will be for approximately one minute and then the traffic will be allowed to travel through the area again. This will take place between 9am and 3pmThis work is expected to be completed in September. More information.
• SH36 Pyes Pa: Tauranga City Council is undertaking watermain and wastewater pipe installations; work is expected to be complete in mid-October. During this time northbound traffic from the SH36/Pyes Pa roundabout will be detoured via Pyes Pa Road through to the SH29A Barkes Corner roundabout. Delays of up to 15 minutes during peak times are expected. More information.
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange project, traffic on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge continues to be down to one lane in either direction until Monday 3 October. This is to allow the installation of a culvert across the TELTR, which will enable earthworks in preparation for construction. Speed is reduced to 50km/h through the work site. Under normal circumstances, we anticipate any delays to be less than two minutes. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Tanners Point Road to Tuapiro Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected. Retaining walls are being constructed between Apata Station Road and Esdaile Road. Stop/go traffic management will be in place outside of morning and evening peak traffic, from 9am-4pm. Light vehicles under ten tonnes can take an alternative route via Wainui South and Esdaile Road There are currently no right turns to Tetley Road and limited right turn options to Rea Road. Detours routes are available, please follow the signs and directions of the traffic management team. More information.

• SH2 Athenree to Pahoia: Road surface repairs will take place in multiple locations; work will be undertaken between 7pm and 6am each night, from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 September. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.

Rotorua

• Rotorua Marathon: The Rotorua Marathon takes place on Saturday 17 September. Traffic management will be in place on roads around Lake Rotorua, including the state highway network. More information.
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park to excavate the shared service trench for the relocation of underground services and installation of the new watermain. A new road layout is in place on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Basley Road and Iles Road. Temporary traffic barriers have been relocated from the lakeside to the westbound side of SH30/Te Ngae Road and a new temporary pedestrian crossing has been installed adjacent to Lynmore Rise Village. A full road closure of Basley Road at the intersection with SH30/Te Ngae Road will be in place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 September between 7am and 6pm, while contractors underground services and install the new stormwater system across Basley Road. Detours will be in place and minor delays are expected. More information.

• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Intersection safety improvement work are ongoing. Starting at 4.30pm on Sunday 18 September to Friday 23 September, the contractor will be working 24 hours, while the existing road surface is removed. While this work is underway two lanes of traffic will remain open, with a reduced speed limit of 30km/h through the site. Traffic will be maintained in both directions however the works may cause minor traffic delays and people are asked to take extra care while traveling through the site. More information.
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. During the day and when the crew are on site, either two lanes will be open or stop/go will be in place – depending on the works. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h applies. Outside of work hours and when the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. There are also ongoing shared path works between Mourea Bridge and Ōkere Falls. Traffic management will be a combination of shoulder closures and stop/go as required to carry out the works safely. Allow extra time. More information.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH35 Motu River: 24/7 single lane access has been reinstated, with traffic signal control in place, along with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. There will be periods where traffic is stopped at each end to allow works to take place across the full road width. Works will continue until mid-September. More information.