Drivers heading south to Taupo from Tauranga are advised to avoid State Highways 5 and 1 for the next six weeks while a roundabout is constructed on the Wairakei intersection.
The work is part of the construction of the East Taupo Arterial.

The Taupo District Council is warning there will be traffic management in place at the intersection, causing extended queues at times and delays. A current 30km/h speed restriction will continue to be in place.
'People may want to use alternate routes where at all possible during this time,”
says ETC project manager Ron Boyle.
An alternative route for Tauranga travellers is via Reporoa south of Rotorua. Turn off SH 5 at Settlers Road and continue south of Reporoa on Broadlands Road
'Once the works are complete the new Wairakei roundabout will be operational – with the exception of the entry and exit to the ETA. I apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank motorists for their patience.”
He says the roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and the airport is also being constructed although it will not be completed for some time.
'We have opened the section of the roundabout that gives a new point of access to the airport. There is considerably more work to do in order to construct the new roading pattern at this intersection but this roundabout will not be fully operational for some time yet.”