Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for March

March 22, 2024

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Bay of Plenty Journey Manager Frankie Evans says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants everyone who is travelling this Easter, to have all the information they need so their journey can be as stress free as possible.

We encourage people to plan ahead, and to help with this, we’ve pulled together a list of key sites that may impact state highway journey times. We want everyone to have a great Easter, no matter where they’re going.

“Most state highway road works will stop at midday on Thursday 28 March, ahead of the long weekend, and will not start back up again until 11.59pm Monday 1 April.

Over the long weekend some traffic management will still be in place at major construction sites, such as speed restrictions, closed road shoulders and reduced lanes, and motorists are advised to take plenty of care through these areas,” says Ms Evans.

More than 20,000 extra vehicles are expected to travel on state highways around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato this Easter weekend, with traffic predicted to triple on one key route to the Coromandel.

“Planning ahead for your long weekend travels will help you to stay safe and avoid delays. If this warm and dry weather continues, we can expect even more people out on the roads and that is going to make peak time queues and delays inevitable,” says Ms Evans.

Ms Evans encourages people to visit the Waka Kotahi holiday journey planner, which shows predicted traffic conditions for popular routes across the country over the Easter period, based on previous years travel patterns.

Traffic hot spots

The traffic will start to build on state highways around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato in both directions from about 3pm on Thursday afternoon through to the evening as people try to make an early getaway.

It’s likely to remain heavy for much of the day on Friday especially on State Highway 1 and State Highways 2, 25 and 25A to Coromandel.

“For people returning home, the weather will play a big role in determining the busiest peaks. Based on previous Easters and last Christmas, the Coromandel Peninsula saw traffic at its heaviest from mid-morning Easter Monday, remaining busy through the day,” Ms Evans.

Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, traffic has been shifted onto the Wairoa Bridge. Traffic on the bridge is down to one lane with traffic management still in place. The road layout will change frequently while drainage and utilities are installed along with tying in works to connect to the existing road. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational with a temporary speed limit of 60km/h alongside the haul road. More information(external link).
Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until early April 2024, there is a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and all heavy vehicles can use SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. In the next phase of work, with the bridge in use, we will continue work to build the new Cambridge Road East intersection. A section of Cambridge Road East from Moffat Road to St Andrews Roundabout will be closed while the new intersection joining onto Moffat Road is constructed. Detours will be in place for the closed section of Cambridge Road East. More information(external link).
SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night. This week, this includes overnight lane closures on Matapihi Road, between Owens Place and the railway line. Minor delays will be experienced by road users travelling in or out of Matapihi and Owens Place. Please allow extra time. More information(external link).  
SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers.
SH2 Takitimu Drive, Tauranga: Night works on Takitimu Drive near the Kopurererua Stream are underway, the work is taking place between 8pm and 5am and is due to be completed on Sunday 24 March. The SH2 City Centre/Mt Maunganui off-ramps will be closed to traffic travelling east from Bethlehem and travelling north from Tauriko. During the day there will be temporary speed limits in place. Light vehicles will detour on SH2 to 15^th Avenue off-ramp then to Cameron Road, Elizabeth Street and then re-join SH2 at the Elizabeth Street roundabout. Heavy vehicles travelling north will be required to take SH29A and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair, heavy vehicles travelling east will detour SH2 to 15^th Avenue off-ramp then through to Turret Road, onto SH29A and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair. More information(external link)
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 2024. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road.
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers are in place until approximately June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Roundabout construction is underway at Sharp Road with significant activities. including nighttime stop/go for asphalt works. There will also be daytime intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 minutes. Temporary traffic management in place with reduced lane width and speed restrictions to protect the work site and road users. Starting in April, 3.8km of flexible median barrier in the Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) is being installed, this is due to be complete by early May. Widening work has previously taken place at this location and installation of median barrier has been coordinated with the reseals programme on SH2 this summer. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions.
SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway; these are enabling works for roundabout construction. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 minutes. Temporary traffic management in place with reduced lane width and speed restrictions to protect the work site and road users.
SH2 Tahawai: Lane shifts, shoulder closures and speed restrictions are in place between Kauri Point Road and Stokes Road as services are relocated. These works are expected to be completed by the end of March.
SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Near the SH2/Ōmokoroa Road intersection shoulder closures and speed reductions are in place in preparation for early works for the Ōmokoroa Roundabout project. More information(external link).
SH2 Te Puna: Powerline removal and upgrades will take place between Loop Road and Ainsworth Road on Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 March between 7am and 7pm, at times both lanes will be held for 2 minutes at a stop/stop while this work is done. Delays are to be expected. There will also be underground drilling taking place at the same time across the highway.
SH29 Kaimai School: Resurfacing between Ngamuwahine Road and Kaimai School will take place between Sunday 7 April and Wednesday 24 April. The work will be carried out from Sunday to Thursday between 8pm and 5am each night. Lane diversions and stop/go with 30km/h temporary speed limits will be in place during these hours. Expect minor delays during daytime hours, as lane shifts and temporary speed limits remain in place for uneven surfaces.
SH36 Pyes Pa: From 7am to 5pm tree felling is underway near 1226 Pyes Pa Road and will continue to mid-April. Traffic will be held when a tree is being felled; this should be a delay of no more than 2 minutes.

Rotorua

The 10^th edition of Crankworx Rotorua has started and continues until Sunday 24 March. During this time the competition will move from Whakarewarewa Forest to Skyline Rotorua on SH5. There may be more traffic in the area due to people attending the event.
SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work underway between Tumene Drive and Ōwhata Road includes surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. The bus stop outside 473 SH30 Te Ngae Road is currently closed while construction is underway on new bus stop foundations. The nearest operational bus stop is located 50-metres west on SH30 / Te Ngae Road (towards Basley Road). Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link).
SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Pavement construction is underway and minor traffic delays are expected for this work about 6km north of Ōkere Falls. Other work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. More information(external link).

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. 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. Repairs on the bridge have started and are expected to be completed in mid-April.
SH30 Awakeri: The Awakeri Top School and Gala Day Event will take place on Sunday 24 March from 8am to 4pm, traffic management will be in place as there will be more vehicles in the area.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 40 minutes across the whole SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor. Stop/go traffic management and temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h are in place at worksites. Safety improvements are underway at: Marshall’s Bridge between Eskdale and Glengarry; south of the passing lane between Te Pōhue and Te Hāroto; and at the curves south of Tarawera café. TREC also starts work in early April at the passing lane near Te Pōhue Golf Club, while work at the Tarawera slow vehicle bay is now complete. As work is dependent on variables such as weather, these dates may change at short notice. More information(external link)

Manawatū-Whanganui

SH1 Utiku: Road repairs are in progress with a view to restoring the road back to 100km/h by the end of March. Currently 2 lanes are open through the site at 30km/h, from time to time there will be stop/go traffic management in place.
SH1/3 Bulls to Sanson: Full night closures continue to allow for roundabout tie-in works. The section of SH1/3 outside Base Ohakea is closed at night between 7.30pm and 6am Sunday nights to Friday mornings. The southbound detour for light vehicles is via Tangimoana Road, Taylor Road and onto SH1. The southbound detour for heavy vehicles is via Tangimoana Road, Campion Road and onto SH1. The detour for all northbound traffic is via Fagan Road, Speedy Road, Tangimoana Road and back onto SH1/3. The new roundabout is now open with a 30km/h speed restriction in place and uneven surfaces at times. During daytime hours (and on Friday and Saturday nights), all motorists will be travelling on the new road alignment.

Waikato

A variety of safety improvements across the Waikato have started, these will contribute towards making the roads safer. The programme of works includes a mixture of new and modified signage, new hazard warning signs, roadside safety/barrier guard rail, road widening, improved road lines and improved road markings. It is expected there will be minimal disruption for motorists while this work is completed. The works will take place over the next 3 months. More Information(external link).

East Waikato

SH25 Coromandel: Ongoing recovery works to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. The sites include Kereta, Te Kouma, and Wharekaho. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. Work is also underway between Whangamatā and Waihī to repair and upgrade side drains. More information(external link). 
SH25A Taparahi Bridge: Work to finish the restoration of SH25A at the Taparahi worksite is expected to be completed by the end of March. More information(external link) 
SH25 Ruamahunga: Slip stabilisation continues. Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. These will be done every second Wednesday, with the next closure on 3 April. These will usually take place between 12 noon and 2pm. SH25 will be closed in both directions at the site for up to 20 minutes at a time so the helicopter can safely operate over the road to deliver those important supplies. The road will then reopen to allow traffic to clear before the next closure.
SH2 Paeroa: Resurfacing will start on Belmont Road in Paeroa from Tuesday 19 and take a week to complete, from 8pm to 6am each night. The road will be open during the day with a temporary speed limit. A detour is available for all vehicles via SH26 Arney Street and Station Road.
SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time while important road repairs are carried out on SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge from early April. As part of the wider summer maintenance programme, the highway will be closed overnight through the gorge for six nights from Sunday 7 April to allow for road resurfacing. The road will close from 8.00pm until 5.00am and temporary speed limits will be in place during the day. A separate project to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery will also begin in the first half of April. This will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. The road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place while work is being done.
SH27 Waharoa: Safety upgrade work continues on SH27 between Walker Street and McGowan Street and is expected to be finished before Easter. SH27 is open to traffic, under lane diversions and stop/go traffic management when needed. Car parks on SH27 will be inaccessible during this period, however the rest area and car park across the road from the Pitt Street intersection will remain open and a safe crossing will be provided at all times. Minor delays are to be expected.
SH27 Mangatarata: Stop/go traffic management will be in place until late March, while a southbound side barrier, new signs, and line marking (including rumble strips) are installed. At times, there will be nightworks between 7pm and 6am, and a reduced speed limit. Minor delays are expected.
SH24 Matamata to SH29: Until mid-April stop/go traffic management will be in place at times while road widening work is completed, followed by signage and rumble strip installation. Minor delays are expected.

Central Waikato

SH1 Lichfield: Road rehabilitation continues until Thursday 4 April from 6am to 6pm. There will be stop/go in place from 6am-6pm Monday to Saturday along with a temporary speed limit. A detour for light vehicles in both directions will be available via Rollett Road, Paroanui Road, Wiltsdown Road and then rejoining SH1 and reverse. Heavy vehicles will travel through the worksite under stop/go.
SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is underway for safety barrier installation, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers in some places and there is a 50km/h speed restriction.
SH1 Maroa Road: There is 24/7 stop/go in place for resealing and joint repairs until 28 March. This is part of the finishing works on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year.
SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation continues between Napier Road and the airport roundabout. Speed restrictions will be in place, with completion expected to be mid-2024. 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. Works to repair the washout are due to begin early April and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

West Waikato

SH1 Waikato Expressway – Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes and 50km/h speed restriction. There are northbound closures and detours Sundays to Thursdays, 7pm-5am, until 11 April. But no detours over Easter weekend. More information [PDF, 1.8 MB]
SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: Final surfacing wraps up ahead of Easter. Watch for changing road layouts as new chip is bedded in and more lanes open to traffic. More information [PDF, 2.9 MB]
SH1C/SH3 Hamilton: Road resurfacing will take place at the Kahikatea Drive/Ohaupo Road/Lorne Street and Normandy Avenue intersections, overnight from Monday 25 to Thursday 4 April from 7pm to 6am each night, however no work will take place during the easter break from 12 noon Thursday 28 March through to midnight Monday 1 April. During this work the road will be closed to through traffic for a period of time, the detour is via SH1C Lorne Street and SH3 Normandy Avenue. At all other times stop/go traffic management will be in place at the intersection of SH1C Lorne Street/Kahikatea Drive and SH3 Ohaupo Road.
SH3 Ohaupo: Due to construction of a signalised pedestrian crossing on SH3 Ohaupo, a temporary speed limit will be in place until the end of March. Minor delays should be expected.
SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Roundabout construction continues with most work currently happening off the state highway. Road users can expect to see layout changes on SH1 and SH29 in stages. The first layout change will start after Easter, with traffic south of the roundabout moving onto a newly constructed 50m section of road adjacent to SH1, allowing construction to continue on the southern end of SH1/29 (Tirau leg). This will remain until September when further traffic changes will take place. Temporary traffic management is in place, including speed restrictions, shoulder closures and lane shifts, please follow the instructions of the team on site and any temporary traffic signage. Delays are expected and an increase of vehicle movements including truck and trailers carting material to site. More Information.(external link)
SH1 Karāpiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed mid-2024. The main construction work involves 1.5km of shoulder widening, temporary barrier installation, earthworks and pavement construction, followed by surfacing, lighting and permanent barrier installation. During the majority of the construction the slow (left-hand) lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road will be closed, and the worksite will be under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. Access in and out of Kentucky Road will remain open. Construction is expected to be finished by late June.
SH1 Karāpiro (Tunakawa Road): The Gorton Road turnaround is now in place and the right turn onto Gorton Road has been reinstated. The focus has shifted to the Tunakawa Road turnaround. During construction there is no right turn onto SH1 from Tunakawa Road. Motorists need to make use of the Keeley’s Reserve turnaround to change direction, which adds around 4-6 minutes to your journey. Once the turnaround construction is complete, the installation of median barrier from Tunakawa Road to Fergusson Gully Road can commence. This is expected to occur towards the end of March, with all work completed by mid-April 2024. More information.(external link)
SH1 Karāpiro (Hickey Road): Construction of the fifth turnaround bay in the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road, is underway. Along with constructing the turnaround bay, there will be road widening at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and installing median and side safety barriers. Construction hours are 7am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, with no work on Sunday or public holidays, and temporary traffic management will be in place during construction. The impact on SH1 traffic is expected to be minor, although there are multiple worksites between Cambridge and Piarere, so some delays to journeys are expected. More information(external link)
SH30 Kōpaki: The underpass repairs continue and are expected to be complete by mid-April. There will be stop/go traffic management in place 24/7, however between 7am and 5pm there will be periods of stop/stop while machinery is moved around the site. Delays of up to 30 minutes should be expected.
SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
SH3 Te Kūiti: Drivers on SH3 are advised to expect delays, with work taking place to build a retaining wall and culvert on a stretch of highway between Te Kūiti and the SH3/SH4 junction. For the first few days of construction traffic will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic control while the highway is temporarily widened on the southbound shoulder. Drivers should expect short delays at this site. Once this is done the road will be reopened to 2 lanes under speed restrictions for up to 3 months while the retaining wall and culvert are being built, with a few days of stop/go expected at the end of the project.
SH3 Kihikihi: Maintenance will be carried out on SH3 Lyon Street on Sunday 24 March between 6pm to 5am. A small section of road will be closed between Ballance and Whitmore Streets. A short detour is available via Ballance, Church and Whitmore Streets.

North Waikato

Nikau Road to Bombay interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 27 March between 9pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. Please slow down and follow traffic management instructions.
Pioneer Road (North): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp will be closed from Monday 25 March during the day and night. Please continue on SH1 and exit at Pokeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using Pokeno southbound on-ramp on SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (South). Work will be ongoing until Friday 17 May.
SH2 Monument to Dimmock Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 March between 9pm and 5am for vegetation maintenance.

Taranaki

SH3 Uruti: Slip repairs continue at SH3 Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network. The site will be run under stop/go traffic controls 24/7 with delays of approximately 10-15 minutes for the duration of construction and is expected to be completed by the end of March.
SH3 Mt Messenger: From 7pm on Friday 5 April to 4am on Monday 8 April SH3 Mt Messenger will be closed for resurfacing. There will be scheduled openings to clear traffic queues. Outside this time, road users can expect stop/go traffic management at night from 6pm to 6am between Tuesday 2 April and Friday 19 April, with delays expected of up to 30 minutes. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead.
SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Until mid-June, Princess Street will be closed between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue to everyone except residents while roadworks continue. People travelling to or from Waitara via Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street. Both lanes of SH3 are open, and a temporary roundabout will be in place at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection, with the current traffic lights removed. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024 More Information(external link)
SH3 Pio Pio: Crews will complete asphalt repairs at Moa Street, SH3 in Pio Pio between Ruru and Tui Streets from 23-26 March (weather permitting). On Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 March crews will work during the day between 6am and 6pm. On Monday 25 to Tuesday 26 March crews will work during the day between 4am and 4pm. The site will be managed using stop/go traffic controls, and you can expect delays of approximately 10 minutes. Pedestrian and property access will be maintained; however, some parking may be impacted temporarily while particular areas are under repair. Access to businesses within the site will be maintained, and the footpath will not be impacted. In the case of unsuitable weather, work will be postponed to the next available day.
SH4 Paroparowhero Culvert Replacement: Work to repair damage from heavy rainfall on SH4 north of Taumarunui, between the intersection of SH43 and Okahukura Bridge Road will continue until June 2024. The repair work involves a temporary lane to maintain traffic flow under 24/7 e-light stop/go controls, while crews install a 3.5 x 4 metre box culvert. From early next week, vehicles will use a temporary road built to enable crews to complete work over both lanes of the existing state highway. Please drive carefully and follow all temporary speed restrictions in place. The work is scheduled to take approximately 6 months, weather permitting. Road users are asked to plan ahead for delays of up to 15 minutes in this area.

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 Journey Planner website.

Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.

MIL OSI