Road rebuilding and resealing has continued at pace this week across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region, in part thanks to a spell of fine weather. Sealing crews are making their way along a number of corridors across the state highway network, and road rebuilding continues at various sites across the region.

Fine weather is crucial to the success of any road renewal says Roger Brady Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Bay of Plenty agency system manager.

“Water is the enemy of roads, creating potholes in winter, and it also causes issues during summer when we are trying to rebuild or reseal roads. If the surface is wet prior to a reseal it can lead to the new surface not sticking, which results in the new seal peeling off. 

“Similarly, water sitting in the layers of a new road build will create issues later on, shortening the life of the road.  This is why, after rain events, we need to wait for sites to dry out before we can undertake any meaningful work. 

“It can be frustrating when passing a site that no one is working on, however this will be for good reason. Waka Kotahi and our contractors are committed to providing a safe and accessible state highway network, and undertaking quality renewals is a key component of this.”

"Waka Kotahi continues to encourage road users to plan ahead, understand what will be happening on their route, and adjust their travel accordingly," says a Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

"Recent fine weather has also helped with progress at the Utuhina Stream Bridge site. Important repair work is on track, with the road to be opened as expected by the end of next week.

"The Waka Kotahi Journey Planner, located at journeys.nzta.govt.nz, is the best place for information on the status of the state highway network. With live updates on worksites and other road hazards, Journey Planner can help road users plot the best route to their destination."

 Bay of Plenty 

 Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October stop/go traffic management will be in place on SH2 between 7am and 7pm each day, on the southern shoulder near Loop Road, Te Puna while tree-felling takes place. Traffic will only be held when cutting, with 5-10 minute delays anticipated. This work cannot be completed at night due to safety reasons. Earthworks have commenced across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley is being constructed to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road will be separated from SH2. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information. 
• Cambridge Road: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Work to connect the bridge with Cambridge and Moffat roads and utility services will be completed in three phases. Phase 1 involves building a diversion road allowing traffic to flow during these works. While these works take place there will be slower speed limits in place on Cambridge Road, shoulder closures and when necessary, stop/go traffic management.
• Cambridge Road (East): Tauranga City Council has commenced slip repair work at Cambridge Road East near the St Andrews Drive roundabout. Cambridge Road will be one-lane only while the work is underway and drivers heading into the city will detour via St Andrews Drive, Castlewold Drive and Wakefield Drive. Drivers coming from the city can use Cambridge Road as usual. There is a 30km/h speed restriction past the work site. The slip was caused by recent weather and the repair work will involve removing the slip material and building a retaining wall to help prevent future slips. The repair is expected to be completed in mid-December, weather dependent.  
• Totara Street: Tauranga City Council will be completing road construction on Totara Street, between Maui Street and Triton Avenue, in November. When work takes place traffic will be reduced to one lane (open for travel between Mount Maunganui and Hewletts Road). Totara Street will be closed to ALL traffic heading to Mount Maunganui from Hewletts Road, with a detour via Newton Road. More information. 
• SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see changes to the road layout as well as overnight road and lane closures. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. On Sunday 8 October, between 7pm and 6am, Maunganui Road northbound from Bayfair roundabout to opposite Concord Avenue will be closed. A detour via Girven Road, Oceanbeach Road and Golf Road will apply for light vehicles. For heavy vehicles a signposted detour via Maunganui Road south, Te Maunga interchange, SH29A roundabout, Truman Lane, Mangatawa Link Road, Sandhurst interchange and the Bayfair flyover will apply.  

From Sunday 8 October to Thursday 12 October, between 7pm and 6am each night, SH29A eastbound between the SH29A roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will be closed. A detour via Truman Lane, Mangatawa Link Road and Sandhurst interchange will apply. In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closures may be moved to the next suitable night/s. More information.

• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers.  
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the Fifteenth Avenue / SH2 / Cameron Road intersection. Work is currently underway at the northeast and northwest (SH2 and Fifteenth Avenue) corners while contractors work to complete the pram crossings and footpaths. Temporary traffic management is in place, with a left turning lane closure. Traffic can still turn into Cameron Road from the SH2 using the centre lane. More information. 
• SH2 Dive Cres: Maintenance work will be undertaken between Marsh Street, Dive Crescent and Mirrielees Road. Work will be conducted between Monday 9 and Friday 13 October, between the hours of 7pm and 5am each night. 30km/h temporary speed limit and detour will be in place during working hours. 
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): Traffic management for the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project has been removed until construction of the interchange itself commences in early 2024. More detail will be shared closer to the time. 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 June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site," says a Waka Kotahi spokesperson.

For more information on the Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project, visit the Rangiuru website..

• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: Pouring of the concrete bridge deck at the Rangiuru Business Park Interchange takes place between 9pm Sunday 8 and 2pm Monday 9 October. The shared path alongside SH2 will be closed during this time, users will be able to detour via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road. 

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Sharp Road and Lockington Road / Matahui Road Intersections: Lane shifts and speed reductions are in place at both intersections while roundabout construction takes place. Road layout changes will occur as works progress. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management which may cause longer delays, although typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. More information. 

• SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: The Tauranga City Council cycleway construction continues with work taking place both under the Wairoa bridge and in the on-road shoulder at night. The cycleway is due to be completed by late-2023. 

• SH2 Pongakawa: Road rebuilding continues. Work is expected to be complete by late October, during this time stop/go traffic management and a westbound detour option via Pukehina Road, Old Coach Road and Pongakawa Station Road will be in place. Delays and additional travel time are expected.

Rotorua

• SH5 Utuhina Bridge: Resilience work on the Utuhina bridge continues. A road closure between Sunset Road and Pukuatua Street will be in place until Friday 13 October. Local detours will be in place, however HPMV will need to use SH5, SH1 and SH30 via Ātiamuri. More information.
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30 / Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places there is stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Access into Brent Road from Te Ngae Road is currently closed while sealing work is undertaken and will be reopened on Tuesday 10 October (weather dependent). Detours are in place. Minor traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information. 
• SH30 Rotorua Airport: Road rebuilding between Rotorua Airport and 875 Te Ngae Road continues through to mid-October. Temporary traffic management will be in place, and there will be one lane available in each direction at all times to minimise disruption. These works are weather dependent, so may need to be postponed, delayed, and/or extended beyond the expected completion date. Significant disruption is expected at peak travel times. 
• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: From Monday 9 October, there are planned night works for surfacing the SH30/ SH33 Te Ngae Junction roundabout. Temporary traffic management will be in place between 6pm and 6am, including a reduced speed limit through site and three way stop/go. Noise and vibration are associated with these works, which are expected to take four nights (weather permitting). Delays are expected. More information. 
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on the SH33 safety improvements project continues with work between Allport Road and Mourea. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Edgecumbe: Road rehabilitation continues near the Omeheu Canal. Traffic management will be in place, including single direction closures until mid-October, followed by a full road closure from mid-October until mid-November, 9am to 3:30pm each day. Work is expected to be complete by late November. 
• SH34 Kawerau: Asphalt resurfacing continues at the intersection of Valley Road. Stop/stop and stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between 7am and 6pm each weekday until Tuesday 10 October. During work hours stop/stop periods of up to 30 minutes will occur, road users may wish to consider using SH30 and the eastern end of SH34 to access Kawerau. 
• SH2 Waimana Gorge Chipseal: Road resealing takes place between Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki, with work taking place under stop/go traffic management between the hours of 6am and 8pm each weekday. This work is weather dependent. Minor delays are expected when sealing is taking place. 
• SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Parkinsons Road and Woodlands Road near Ōpōtiki continue. This work is expected to be complete in late 2023 (weather dependent). Works consists of shoulder widening and the installation of safety barriers. During this time road users can expect to see shoulder closures and/or stop/go operations in place, as required. Works will take place between 7am and 5pm each weekday. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays up to 10 minutes may be experienced.  
• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: Investigations are ongoing for the most effective way of repairing the bridge. The reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk.
• SH2 Waioeka Gorge Chipseal: Road resealing takes place between Ōpōtiki and Matawai from Wednesday 18 October, Monday to Friday each week. For the first two weeks road closures will be in place between 7am and 5pm, with 20-minute opening periods at 9am, midday and 2pm. Following the closures there will be approximately a week where stop/go and/or stop/stop traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place while work continues. 

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)