With more consistently fine weather appearing over recent weeks, road resealing and rebuilding crews have been out in force across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty network.

However, the impact of any rain cannot be underestimated, as shown by the new slip on SH25 near Opoutere.

Crews are working hard to complete their renewal programmes while also ensuring slips and other weather-related impacts on the roading network are attended to quickly, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency.

'It's undoubtedly a tough time for our crews at the moment. We're asking them to be everywhere, and this is having an impact on travel times for road users who may have to drive through multiple worksites.

'However, the window within which we can complete our reseals is closing fast, and we are determined to cover as much ground as possible. Everything we do now bodes well for the winter ahead.”

Slips have been a focus this summer, however plans are progressing well across the region to have these remedied over the coming months.

'We now have a diversion route around the slip on SH23 towards Raglan, and investigations continue, as they do at SH31 towards Kawhia. We have also been able to start investigating the slip site on SH25A.

'Over the coming weeks and months, we will be able to finalise design and start construction. While these issues are frustrating, it's pleasing to be able to make some progress now we have some dry weather.”

Road users are reminded to check the Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for the latest road conditions across the state highway network.

State highway access for regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can be found at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-and-travel-information/cyclone-gabrielle-state-highway-access/.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities will continue between Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko including Cambridge Road, Harrison Road, Wairoa Road, Minden Road, Loop Road and State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. The new Harrison Road alignment will open with new seal and line marking scheduled in the coming weeks, when there is consistent fine weather. People may notice an increase in truck movements along Moffat Road over the summer months as earthworks ramp up in the Tauriko/Bethlehem area. More information.

• SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: Construction commences Monday 20 March on the last 800m section of the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, between the Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem. While most of the works will be undertaken at night, there will be traffic management in place for on-road works. Work is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. This project is a partnership project between Tauranga City Council, Waka Kotahi and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link: Works continue across the worksite. Truman Lane remains closed to eastbound traffic from SH29A, with a detour via the Sandhurst interchange. More information.
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. More information.
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road. Traffic management will be in place at the intersection, and there will be a reduced number of lanes on Cameron Road. Minor delays are expected. Cameron Road, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenue, has a southbound lane closure through to mid-2023.
• SH2 Hewletts Road: Works to upgrade the footpath on the northern side of SH2 Hewletts Road to a shared path continues. Work is taking place in four consecutive stages to minimise disruption and will start between Totara Street and Waimarie Street. The northbound bus lane will be closed Monday to Friday between 5am and 3pm each day. A detour for people walking and cycling will be in place. Regular traffic lanes will operate as per normal. More information.
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project, a section of the TELTR, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, is reduced to three lanes. Whilst earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed applies. The inner westbound lane is open whilst work continues along the outside lane - the speed limit past the work site is 70km/h. This layout will remain in place until May 2023 with reinstatement work planned for June 2023. More information.

The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h will apply through the site. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lockington Road / Matahui Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Pavement work to complete the Rea Road / Tetley Road roundabout will take place as soon as there is consistent fine weather. Stop/go traffic management will be in place overnight at the Morton Road roundabout site, which also has an unsealed section northbound of the roundabout awaiting sealing. Slip repairs are continuing opposite Sargent Drive. Minor delays are expected. More information.
• SH2 Ōmokoroa: Service locations have commenced at the SH2/Omokoroa Road intersection. Minor delays are expected. More information.
• SH29 Lower Kaimai: Chipsealing will take place during the week from Sunday 12 March. Work will take place at night between 7pm and 6am. During this time stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.