Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises the planned detour for Ngongotahā bound traffic has been further delayed until Friday 14 May due to it being too wet to lay any new seal on the road.
Contractors have been working hard to get the slip lane road surface prepared so it could be sealed in time for the detour. The rain has meant it’s too wet to proceed with any road surfacing, temporary or permanent.
Waka Kotahi apologises for the delay in switching traffic over to the detour and for any confusion caused. Weather plays a big part in how our work is programmed and at this time of year work can often be disrupted due to cooler temperatures and rain.
Our contractors are now focussed on sealing the road early Friday morning and aim to have the detour in place around midday.
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From Friday 14 May a short section of State Highway 36 will be closed, with people travelling from Rotorua to Ngongotahā, Hamurana and Tauranga detoured via State Highway 5 and Western Road.
The detour does not affect southbound traffic heading into Rotorua.
This work will be clearly signposted to assist road users in knowing where to go.
To help with traffic flow the new SH5/SH36 roundabout free flow (slip) lane will be opened and two temporary roundabouts installed – one at the SH5/Western Road turnoff and one in Ngongotahā Village at the SH36/Western Road intersection. Manual traffic control may also be in place at times.
While the detour is in place there will be extra traffic along Western Road. The detour will be monitored to ensure traffic is flowing and adjusted if necessary.
The changes are expected to be in place for up to six weeks.
Motorists are asked to take extra care while the detour is in place, especially at the Ngongotahā Village end.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience during this time.
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