Road widening is about to start on the Tauranga side of the temporary State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Rd roundabout, paving the way for the future four-lane layout.

The work will start within the next couple of weeks and take about three months to complete, with two phases of traffic changes.

In the first phase of works, traffic travelling towards Tauranga (southbound lane) will be moved further to the left side of the road, while the space in the middle – between the north and south lanes – is widened.

While this work is being carried out, there will be no right turn into or out of Youngson Rd from SH2, however, vehicles will still be able to turn left into or out of Youngson Rd.

The temporary roundabout will also be shifted slightly, but this change will be minor and drivers are unlikely to notice a big difference.

In the first phase of works there will be no right turn into or out of Youngson Rd from SH2, however, vehicles will still be able to turn left into or out of Youngson Rd. Image / Supplied

Weather permitting, this phase is expected to take up to six weeks to complete, with detour routes signposted.

In the second phase, the northbound lane (vehicles heading towards Katikati) will be shifted towards the centre of the road, creating a space to the left for further road widening.

While this configuration is in place, Youngson Rd will be closed to vehicles both entering and exiting the road, and a detour will be in place.

This work is also likely to take up to six weeks, and Youngson Rd residents will be contacted closer to the time to let them know what to expect.

“The works have been carefully staged, and we’re working hard to minimise disruption and keep people moving while construction is under way,” says Annelie Badenhorst, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s infrastructure growth and delivery manager.

“This road widening is a key step in delivering the State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade. While there will be some short-term changes to traffic flow, it’s all part of getting us to a safer, more efficient network that supports growth in Ōmokoroa and the wider district.”

The temporary, painted roundabout layout was put in place in February and is a smaller and simpler version of the final road layout.

It will remain in place, with adjustments as necessary, until the State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade has been completed in mid-2026.

The State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade is a minimum 10-year interim solution to address the immediate needs of the intersection, until funding becomes available to build a full interchange.

Once completed, it will include:

For more information on the State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Rd intersection upgrade visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/state-highway-2-omokoroa-road-intersection-upgrade