Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The recent change in weather has been a good prompt for road users to think about winter conditions and the adjustments required when driving during the colder, wetter months of the year. Ice, fog, rain and snow can make for unforgiving road conditions.
Allowing extra time for your journeys and driving to the road and weather conditions will ensure you reach your destination safely says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“We have already seen this year the impact weather can have on the state highway network, and that was reinforced during this week’s weather. The slips in the Waimana Gorge and near Taneatua are causing disruption to those travelling in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.”
Unfortunately it still isn’t safe to re-open the gorge today, and we’ll be monitoring the situation over the weekend.
With more wet weather forecast, Mr Brady recommends following some simple tips to ensure you reach your destination safely.
“During wet weather it’s a good idea to maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front, slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards. If driving long distances consider sharing the driving and ensure you take regular breaks. Finally, check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before you leave home to ensure you have the latest information on the state highway network.
Journey Planner(external link)
“A well-planned journey is more likely to be a safe journey.”
Bay of Plenty
Tauranga
- Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities will continue between Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko including Cambridge Road, Harrison Road, Wairoa Road, Minden Road, Loop Road and State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. Through the area of the construction zone on Cambridge Road there will be stop/go in place between Monday 8 and Friday 12 May, between the hours of 9am and 4pm each day, for utility work. More information.(external link)
- SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: Construction has begun on the last 800m section of the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, between the Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem. While most of the works will be undertaken at night, there will be traffic management in place during the day for on-road works. Work is expected to take about three months to complete. This project is a partnership between Tauranga City Council and Waka Kotahi. More information(external link).
- SH2 Bay Link: The new Bayfair flyover is open, taking traffic over the Bayfair roundabout and making it safer for everyone by separating local and state highway traffic. Road reconstruction is underway on all ground level roads leading into, and away from, the Bayfair roundabout, with the following temporary traffic layouts in place: A single lane is available on Maunganui Road northbound from opposite Exeter Street, through the Bayfair roundabout to opposite Concord Avenue, on Maunganui Road southbound from Concord Avenue to Bayfair roundabout and around the Bayfair roundabout. Find out more about the new road layout at nzta.govt.nz/bayfairflyover(external link).
- At the Bayfair roundabout, a partial overnight closure will be in place between Girven and Matapihi Road on Sunday 7 May (from approximately 7pm to 6am) to enable works to be completed safely near live traffic lanes. During these hours, a detour via the SH29A roundabout will be in place. In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closure may be moved to the next suitable night/s.
- A single lane closure will be in place on Matapihi Road approaching Bayfair roundabout from Sunday 7 May to Thursday 11 May (from approximately 6.30pm to 6am, nights only). New work zones will be established on Matapihi Road at the intersection of Owens Place, and approaching the Bayfair roundabout to enable the completion of this intersection. As part of this, the pedestrian crossing on Matapihi Road will move between the two HomeZone shopping area entrances. The right turn from Matapihi Road onto Owens Place will be permanently closed. Road users wishing to turn right onto Owens Place from Matapihi Road will use the Bayfair roundabout, complete a full turn at the roundabout before returning along Matapihi Road and turning left into Owens Place.
- SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. Resurfacing works will take place the nights of Wednesday 10 May and Thursday 11 May. Road closure in place for all southbound traffic. Detour via Cambridge Road, Moffat Road and SH2. (weather dependent)
- SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road. Work is currently focused on the southeast corner of the Fifteenth Avenue intersection. Temporary traffic management is in place with a westbound lane closure on Fifteenth Avenue, with traffic able to turn left onto Cameron Road from the centre lane, and a southbound lane closure on Cameron Road, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenue. Moderate traffic delays are expected
- SH2 Hewletts Road: Work continues to upgrade the existing footpath on the northern side of SH2 Hewletts Road to a shared use path. Work is taking place in four consecutive stages to minimise disruption. Works in the last stage, between Maru St and Aerodrome Rd, are now underway. The northbound bus lane will be closed Monday to Friday between 5am and 3pm each day. Line marking of the new shared path is underway between Totara Street and Aerodrome Road, with works taking place at night only. A detour for people walking and cycling will be in place. Regular traffic lanes will operate as per normal. More information(external link).
- SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project, a section of the TELTR, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, is reduced to three lanes. Whilst earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed applies. The inner westbound lane is open whilst work continues along the outside lane – the speed limit past the work site is 70km/h. This layout will remain in place until late June 2023 with reinstatement work planned for July 2023. More information.(external link)The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h will apply through the site. More information(external link).
Western Bay of Plenty
- SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue on SH2.
Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, road widening works continue throughout the week. Expect speed reductions and minor delays of one to two minutes. - Lockington Rd / Matahui Rd Intersection – Roundabout construction underway. Lane shifts and speed reductions in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. SH2 / Sargent Drive – Slip Repairs – Lane shifts and speed reductions in place. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.
Apata Station Rd to Esdaile Road – Lane shifts and speed restrictions for Road widening works. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. More information(external link)
Rotorua
- SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. Temporary traffic management will be in place, including a shoulder closure on the westbound lane between Basley Road and 411 Te Ngae Road. The intersection of Basley Road and SH30/Te Ngae Road is now open to left in and left out turns. Work to complete the final section of new road surface at the intersection of Basley Road and Melrose Avenue is underway, and there will be an intermittent road closure at Melrose Avenue. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and Tennyson Drive is now closed while work continues preparing for the new road surface in this section. The footpath on the southern side of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and the mid-block opposite Puketāwhero Park is open, and there is a temporary signalised crossing at the city end of Puketāwhero Park to cross SH30/Te Ngae Road. Work is underway on the new retaining wall and shared service trench opposite Brent Road on SH30/Te Ngae Road – temporary traffic management will be in place including a contraflow lane shift, shoulder closure on the eastbound lane of SH30/ Te Ngae Road between Puketāwhero Park and Brent Road, and the footpath through this section remains closed. There are also two newly installed temporary pedestrian crossings in place at the airport end of Puketāwhero Park and outside The Te Ngae Shopping Centre, allowing footpath users to safely cross SH30/Te Ngae Road. There is a temporary reduced speed limit through site of 50km/per hr and three sections of temporary pedestrian crossings with a 30km/per hr temporary reduced speed limit. Moderate traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link).
- SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Construction of safety improvements continue on the western side of the intersection, and earthworks continue on the southeast corner of the SH30/SH33 junction, temporary traffic management will be in place including a reduced speed limit through site during work hours. Moderate traffic delays are expected. From 18 May (weather dependent) there will be a three way stop/go in place 24/7 as work progresses on constructing the new roundabout. Access for traffic will be maintained however significant traffic delays are expected of up to 30 minutes during peak times and up to 10 minutes off-peak. People driving light vehicles are encouraged to use Hamurana Road, SH36 and/or SH5, SH30A and/or SH30 More information(external link).
- SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Due to the impacts of heavy rain various work activities will resume on sections of road between Allport Road and Hamurana Road mid next week. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link).
- SH30 Rotoma: Due to an underslip between Matahi Road and SH34 Kawerau Road, a section of SH30 is reduced to one lane with Stop/go in place. Geotech investigations are underway.
Eastern Bay of Plenty
- SH2 Waioeka Gorge: An underslip at the road edge sees a section of road under priority give-way. Care is required when driving through this area.
- SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: After planned testing on the Manganuku Bridge, further investigations are required. The reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until results are determined. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk.
- SH2 Waimana Gorge: closed due to multiple slips and unsafe conditions. To re-assessed 6 May
- SH38 Murupara: Due to an underslip north of Murupara township priority give way has been set up whilst geotechnical investigations are carried out.
- SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Wainui Road and Woodlands Road, Opotiki are planned to commence Monday May 8th. This work is expected to take around four months to complete (weather dependent). Works consists of shoulder widening and the installation of safety barriers. During this time road users can expect to see shoulder closures and / or Stop/Go operations in place, as required. Works will take place between am and 5pm each week day. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays up to 10 minutes may be experienced.
Tairāwhiti
- All State Highways: All state highways within the Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions have sustained damage during Cyclone Gabrielle, and some sections of SH2 north of Napier are impassable for the time being. Other routes are experiencing significant delays due to high traffic volumes or detours, please check the Journey Planner for the most up to date information, and only travel if it is essential. More information(external link).
- SH2 Gisborne to Matawai: Significant Delays are expected between Gisborne and Matawai due to road rehabilitation works stabilisation that are taking place between May and July. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place at each worksite. More information(external link)
- SH2 Esk River Bridge: Work to strengthen the Esk River Bridge continues until Thursday 18 May. The bridge will be closed between 9pm and 5am each night, Sunday to Thursday, for a period of three weeks. The bridge will remain open during daytimes hours, though there may be occasional work that will require one lane to be closed. More information(external link).
Manawatū-Whanganui
- SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: As well as existing damaged sites, there are several sites along SH4 that received damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and have traffic management in place, including a number that require further investigation and designs completed prior to remedial action taking place.
- SH4 Burrell Road underslip: Work continues at the site of an existing underslip near Burrell Road south of Otoko. Crews are constructing a new 18-metre-long anchored retaining wall, and underpinning an existing concrete crib retaining wall. Traffic management will be in place during this time, with work expected to be completed by mid-June.
- SH4 Auraki Stream Road Retreat: Work to retreat the road away from a slip adjacent to the Mangawhero River is currently underway and is expected to be complete by mid-2023. For the duration of the works the road is reduced to one lane with traffic control operating under traffic signals. Works are generally undertaken away from the road, however there are occasions where traffic signals are used to keep drivers safe from hazards, with delays of up to 10 minutes. More information(external link).
- SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing.
Waikato
East Waikato
- SH25 Opoutere: An underslip has caused significant damage to the road structure. The temporary road is open with stop/go traffic management, however there may be periods of stop/stop traffic management as required. Work to repair the slip has commenced, and is expected to be complete by late-May.
- SH25 Whangamata: The bridge, which is located near the intersection of Tairua and Port roads, will be closed to all traffic from 7am to 5pm on Wednesday 17 May and Friday 9 June for essential maintenance work. This follows a recent inspection which determined that the southern timber piles of the bridge are deteriorating and strengthening measures are now required. Work will involve installing two new steel piles, one at each side of the bridge, and a new steel beam supporting the ends of the main bridge beams. Motorists travelling between Waihi and Tairua on State Highway 25 (SH25) will be detoured through Whangamatā during this time. The bridge will also be closed to cyclists and pedestrians throughout this work.
- SH25 Kūaotunu Hill: From Monday 8 May to Thursday May 11, SH25 will close overnight from 8pm until 11pm and again from midnight to 5am for four nights. There will be a one-hour time slot each night between 11pm and midnight each night to allow vehicles through. Emergency services vehicles will be provided with access through site as required. The closure is from Waitaia Road to the north end of Wharekaho (Simpsons Beach) settlement. The closure is required to carry out geotechnical drilling, to help inform permanent repairs following storm damage earlier this year.
- SH25 Kereta Hill: There will be three consecutive night-time closures from Sunday 14 May while road repair work is undertaken. There will be a one-hour time slot each night between 11pm and midnight each night to allow vehicles through. The closure is from 1090 Thames Coast Road through to 713 Manaia Road. Previously scheduled works were cancelled due to weather. This work is a proactive measure to hold the road over winter, and further work will be undertaken next summer. More information(external link).
- SH25A Kopu-Hikuai: A section of road near the summit has collapsed, and the road is impassable. Detour via SH26, SH2, SH25 via the Karangahake Gorge, or SH25 via Coromandel Town. More information.(external link)
Central Waikato
- SH1 Ātiamuri: Traffic continues to be managed through the 4.5km site where side and median barriers are being installed south of Ātiamuri. Both north and south-bound lanes are restricted to 50km/h with stop/go traffic management in place at times. Pavement works and barrier construction will finish in June 2023. More information(external link).
- SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place.
West Waikato
- SH1 Waikato Expressway – Ngāruawāhia Section: Safety improvements and remedial works require a single lane in each direction is available with a 50km/h temporary speed limit, until completion in March 2024. More information(external link).
- SH21 Tamahere safety improvements: Safety improvements, platforms and footpaths are to be installed starting in mid-May More information(external link)
- SH23 Dinsdale: Full completion of the Hamilton City Council Dinsdale Water Supply project is expected by mid-2023. More information(external link).
- SH1C Frankton: Asphalt resurfacing at the SH1C/SH23/Massey/Hall Overbridge intersection continues. Work will take place overnight, Sunday to Thursday nights, until mid-May. There will be two detours in place: Detour to Hall Street is via SH1C, Norton Road, Jolly Street and Kent Street, detour to Massy Street is via 1C, Rifle Range Road and Massey Street.
- SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout continues with one lane available in each direction. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place at all times. Cambridge Road and Johnsview Terrace are operating as left in/left out only. Additionally, from 5 April until late May, there will be no left turn from SH1C Cobham Drive into local Cambridge Road. Please use the Wairere Drive-Cobham Drive interchange to access local Cambridge Road and the Hillcrest shops. This work sees the intersection changed to traffic light controls, and is expected to be completed by late August 2023. More information(external link).
- SH23 Raglan Deviation: An under-slip has occurred at a section of road approximately 1.6km west of Glentui Lane. The retaining wall holding up the road is now complete, and we are moving on to reinstatement of the road back to the old alignment. Work is expected to be complete by late-May, but we will need good weather to complete the works. More information(external link).
- SH30 Kōpaki: Due to safety concerns Kopaki Bridge is only open to local light traffic until the new bridge is open to traffic in May. The detour for all other vehicles is via Kopaki Road and SH4. More information(external link).
- SH31 Kawhia Road: Current repairs to an underslip require daytime closures between 8am and 5:30pm each weekday until mid-May. The road will open for an hour between 12:30pm and 1:30pm to allow traffic past the site. Outside these times stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit are in place. More information(external link)
North Waikato
- SH2 Maramarua: Stop/Go traffic management will be in place from Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 May between Monument Road and Dimmock Road, between 9pm and 5am each night.
- SH1 Pokeno: A full southbound closure from Nikau Road to Pokeno on Wednesday 10 May will be in place between 9.30pm and 5am. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the Northbound lanes.
Taranaki
- SH43 Aukopae: Due to a wash out, there is 30km/h speed restriction in place.
- SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: A 50km/h speed limit is in place across a 5km section of SH3 at Mt Messenger. Stop/go traffic controls are in place until Saturday 6 May, and from Monday 8 May to Friday 12 May inclusive, with delays of up to 15 minutes. More information(external link).
- SH3 Tongapōrutu: Slip repair work continues south of Hills Road with, stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit in place.
- SH3 Awakino Gorge: Retaining wall construction continues south of Awakau Road with stop/go in place.
- SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: SH3 will be reduced to one lane at the Princess Street intersection until early-May while stormwater works are completed. Stop/Go traffic management will be in place on SH3 from approximately 140m south of the Princess Street intersection, through to 100m north of the intersection. A 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place along this section of road. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.
For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated.
The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website.
Journey Planner(external link)
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.
