Motorists across Waikato and Bay of Plenty are being warned to expect delays and detours this month, as major state highway repairs and upgrade works continue – particularly around Tauranga and Coromandel.

A significant underslip repair on State Highway 25 at Kūaotunu Hill is one of the region’s most complex projects, following severe storm damage earlier this year, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a media release.

Contractors are working on a steep section of hillside northeast of the Coromandel Peninsula, with specialist crews abseiling down the slope to stabilise the site.

NZTA said the slip sits beneath an existing retaining wall and is being reinforced with soil nails, steel mesh and sprayed concrete to help secure the hillside and protect the road above.

Work is expected to continue until the end of June under stop/go traffic management, the roading agency said, with temporary traffic lights in place along the 250m work zone.

Further disruptions are likely later in the programme, with road closures of up to an hour planned to safely carry out drilling and concreting.

Meanwhile, in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty, drivers face a series of closures and ongoing works linked to the Takitimu North Link project and other upgrades.

NZTA said key disruptions include full and partial closures on SH2 and SH29 Takitimu Drive from Friday, June 12 through to Monday, June 15, with detours in place via Cameron Rd, Elizabeth St and SH29A.

Night works are also scheduled on SH29 at the Ōmanawa Bridge from June 8 for four weeks, with lane shifts and stop/go traffic management expected overnight.

Additional night works are planned through Tauriko Village from June 14, including installation of stormwater infrastructure and streetlights, with reduced speed limits and temporary stop/go controls in place.

NZTA said ongoing works across the network include lane closures at SH2 Fifteenth Avenue, reduced speeds through Tauriko and continued diversions on SH2 and SH29 as part of the wider Tauranga transport upgrades.

Elsewhere, Poripori Rd remains closed until early July for slip repairs, with detours in place, while wider works across the region – including at Ōmokoroa and Whakamārama – may cause intermittent delays.

In Rotorua, construction on SH36 Tauranga Direct Rd continues, with traffic reduced to one lane near the Hauraki Stream and minor delays expected.

NZTA is advising motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and check the latest conditions before travelling, as schedules may change because of weather.

The next regional traffic bulletin is due on June 19.