More safety improvements are being rolled out at the intersection of State Highway 29 and Ōmanawa Rd, with night works now rescheduled to take place from tonight.

Stop/go traffic management and a temporary 30km/h speed limit will be in place between 7pm and 6am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as crews install new traffic measures as part of the Ōmanawa Bridge replacement project.

The changes are aimed at improving safety for motorists travelling through Tauranga’s western corridor, particularly as construction activity increases and visibility changes around the worksite.

New measures being introduced include a clearly marked merge lane on SH29 for drivers turning right out of Ōmanawa Rd, a temporary ban on right turns into Ōmanawa Rd, and a relocated limit line to improve visibility for drivers entering the highway.

The merge lane will allow vehicles turning right out of Ōmanawa Rd to cross one lane of traffic before safely merging with westbound vehicles, while the shifted limit line will give drivers a clearer view of oncoming traffic.

Right turns onto Ōmanawa Rd will be temporarily removed to make space for the merge lane and simplify traffic movements at the intersection.

Drivers will be able to use a short detour of about 3km via the SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout, adding around four minutes to their journey.

Additional safety features are also being installed west of the intersection, including larger speed limit signs, improved road markings and side islands to reinforce the existing temporary 50km/h speed limit through the worksite.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the temporary changes balance safety and efficiency while the new SH29 alignment is built higher than the existing highway — work that involves significant earthworks and reduced visibility in the area.

Motorists are being asked to drive with extra care during the night works and to allow extra time for their journeys.