Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

People are experiencing an increase in travel time on State Highway 2 (SH2), between Te Puna and Aongatete, and it’s set to continue now chipseal works have begun along the corridor, acknowledges NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Chipsealing provides important waterproofing of the road surface which protects road pavements. Once crews have completed laying and rolling the new chip, traffic moving across the chip at temporary speeds over a 24-hour period to helps the chipseal bed in. 

While every endeavour is made to minimise the impact to traffic, with most of the works done at night, temporary speed limits and other traffic management during the day do slow traffic.

“SH2 is an incredibly sensitive piece of road and any reduced speed limits from work or incidents near or on this road sees changes in traffic flow,” says Sandra King, Bay of Plenty System Manager, for NZTA. Pavement rebuild works have now started at Snodgrass Road and the chipseal programme is underway north of Te Mete Road”.

“The impact on SH2 has been felt for some time – once a rural road passing through a few settlements, it’s developed into a busy commuter and freight route.

“The main cause of congestion is the sheer volume of traffic, with more than 6000 vehicles per day added to this corridor in the last 10 years. Last week also saw people returning to work or driving home from holiday, further impacted by a major scrub fire and an emergency incident contributing to the disruption.

Chipseal sites between Tauranga and Katikati have been programmed at night to coincide with reduced traffic volumes during the daytime over this school holiday period. This week, sites located between Clarke and Te Mete Roads and Barrett and Ōmokoroa Roads are under construction before anticipated wet weather sets in later in the week.  From Sunday, weather depending, work will commence on a site north of Ōmokoroa near Francis Road, and three sites between Hot Springs Road and Walker Road East.

As well as maintenance works, 2 roundabouts are in construction for the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa Safety Improvements project at Apata Station Road, and Pahoia and Esdaile Roads.  There is also the roundabout construction at SH2 Ōmokoroa Road (more details below).

“We appreciate any delay to travel is frustrating. People should allow extra time for their journeys, and we thank them for their patience while this important work is completed,” says Ms King.

SH2 maintenance and works programme

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa Safety Improvements: 2 roundabouts are currently in construction. More information 
• SH2 Apata Station Road: Road widening works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. Expect delays. 
• SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Road widening and service relocation works are underway in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect delays especially during peak times. More information(external link)
• SH2 Snodgrass Road, Te Puna:Night work started on a road rebuild Sunday 12 January, taking approximately 6 weeks to complete near the Snodgrass Road and Te Puna Quarry Road intersection. While the work is taking place the entry into Snodgrass Road and Te Puna Quarry Road will be closed at the state highway end. Alternative roads are available to the south via Munro Road and to the north via Armstrong Road or Borrell Road. Work will start at 8pm each night finishing at 5.30am, there will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h during the day. 
• SH2 North chipseal programme:There are 9 chipseal sites on SH2 north of Tauranga which started on the night of Sunday 12 January taking 10 nights to complete between Clark Road and finishing near Aongatete. There will be a temporary speed limit in place the day after the chipsealing has been completed to allow the chipseal to bed in. The 2 chipseal sites south of Ōmokoroa will be completed by the end of this week with a sites at Te Puna and Ōmokoroa already completed over the last 2 days.

This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.

People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner.

NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

NZTA thanks road users and the community for their patience.

*All dates are subject to suitable weather conditions.

MIL OSI