Road works around the Western Bay of Plenty will temporarily stop over the Christmas/New Year period.

The temporary closure is to reduce inconvenience for motorists as the holiday season gets underway, says NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon.

Works on state highways in the Western Bay of Plenty will stop over the Christmas/New Year period. This map shows where road works are located in the Western Bay of Plenty.

The move is part of the Agency's annual shutdown of its maintenance works, which recognises the bulk of holiday travel happens over Christmas and New Year.

Brett says although road crews will not be in action during the shutdown period, some road work sites in shutdown mode will still require extra attention and care from motorists passing through.

'These locations will still have unmanned traffic management in place – so we'd ask people be aware of these sites and take note of signage and any speed restrictions and traffic controls in place.”

Brett encourages motorists to take a moment to plan their journey before they travel these holidays, using the NZTA's free information online or by phone.

Motorists are being reminded to ensure their vehicle is warranted, registered and in a safe condition.

Regional road and travel information over Christmas/New Year:

Bay of Plenty and Waikato state highway road works or project sites which will still have unmanned signage and/or speed restrictions in place during the Christmas/New Year break are listed below: Most of the road works shut downs will take place from Friday, December 21, through to Monday, January 7, inclusive, except where noted otherwise in some of the locations listed below.

Bay of Plenty:

SH2 / SH33 – Whakatane / Rotorua intersection
A temporary speed restriction of 80km/h is in place around the State Highway 2/33 Whakatane/Rotorua intersection.

SH2, Domain Road, and Domain / Tara Road intersection

A temporary speed restriction of 50km/h is in place and the slip lane is closed for State Highway 2 traffic travelling from Te Puke towards Tauranga, traffic is diverted through the roundabout.

SH2 from Te Maunga (near BayPark stadium) to Domain Road

A temporary speed restriction of 80km/h is in place.

Pah Road

A temporary road diversion and speed restriction of 50km/h is in place at the end of the sealed section of Pah Road, including a road diversion and speed restriction of 50km/h in a portion of the unsealed section.

Pahoia / Esdaile Road intersection (SH2)

Location: roughly half way between the Omokoroa intersection and Katikati

What to expect: A 30km/h speed restriction is in place.

Waioeka Gorge (SH2)

Location: Waioeka Gorge, between Opotiki and Gisborne.

What to expect: Two lanes of traffic will be operating however a section of the road through the construction site is rough and a 30 km/h speed limit is in place. Motorists are advised not to stop through this construction site area.

Ruato Bay rockfall and unstable rock face, Lake Rotoiti (SH30)

Location: roughly halfway down the lake or 1km Rotorua side of Okataina Rd.
What to expect: 400m stretch of SH30 restricted to one lane with a concrete safety barrier. Permanent traffic signals exist to control the one way flows. Drivers should expect up to 10min delays and to follow signs and signals until further notice.

Waikato:

Waikato Expressway – Ngaruawahia Section (note: site will be closed from 1st December 2012 to 14th January 2013).

State Highway 1 at Atiamuri Bridge between Tokoroa and Taupo – note, temporary 50 km/h speed limit in place.

SH30 – Kopaki Forest from 2 km south of Kopaki rail overbridge.