Plan ahead for safe winter driving in the Bay of Plenty

With winter weather settling in, Bay of Plenty motorists are reminded to adjust their driving to keep themselves and other road users safe.

“Simple guidelines for winter travelling include ensuring your vehicle is safe, always driving to the road and weather conditions, allowing more time for your travel, slowing down, being prepared for unexpected hazards and allowing greater following distance between you and the vehicle ahead,” says Transport Agency journey manager Nigel D’Ath.

“The room for mistakes is reduced when road and weather conditions are less favourable, and we don’t want anyone’s mistake to end in an avoidable tragedy.”

“Most important though is to plan your journey, check weather and road conditions, choose the safest route if you have the option and if possible avoid travelling in extreme weather and road conditions.

“And remember road closures and restrictions are put in place for your protection and other road users, so please observe these.”

People travelling through the Bay of Plenty are also advised that they may encounter speed restrictions and other traffic management on state highways around the region this month, as Transport Agency contractors continue work on safety upgrades and major projects such as the Maungatapu underpass.

Drivers can get the most up to date information to help plan their trip via a dedicated website www.nzta.govt.nz/winterjourneys or by calling 0800 44 44 49 (0800 4 HIGHWAYS).

Bay of Plenty motorists can also go to www.drivelive/BayofPlenty , a dedicated website that tell drivers what the current travel times are to get to key places around the region.

SH2 Tauranga

Transport Agency contractors will be carrying out ‘mill and fill’ works SH2 throughout Tauranga over the next fortnight and motorists are advised to expect short delays.

Contractors will be working on sections of SH2 Hewletts Road from Sunday July 10 through to Wednesday July 13. Following that, work will begin on SH2 Bayfair on Thursday July 14.

Lane closures and speed restrictions will be in place. The work is being carried out between the hours of 7pm and 6am to reduce the impact on traffic. Drivers are urged to drive with care.

SH2 Te Puna Roundabout

Contractors have started stage one of the roundabout project which includes surveying and locating services such as power, water, stormwater and sewerage. The work is mainly offline and is not expected to significantly impact traffic on SH2 in the short term. The main part of the work, including construction of the roundabout, will get underway in September.

SH29/ Takitimu Drive and SH36/Taurikura Drive roundabout upgrade

Motorists are asked to drive with extra care when travelling through the roundabouts over the next month. Tauranga City Council’s contractor is carrying out works and speed restrictions, lane closures and occasional stop/go traffic management will be in place at times.

SH2 Chapel Street Viaduct Tauranga

Contractors are carrying out maintenance on the viaduct on Saturday July 9 from 7am until 11pm. Motorists are advised to drive with extra care and attention as one lane will be closed and speed restrictions will be in place.

SH2 Waioeka Gorge

Transport Agency contractors will be working at various sites in the gorge in July, carrying out drainage improvement works. Traffic management will be in place and motorists are advised to drive with extra care and expect minor delays.

Rotorua/Eastern Bay of Plenty safety improvements

Transport Agency contractors will be making safety improvements to the state highway network around Rotorua and near Opotiki over the next week. The changes include installing safety rails, new road marking, and tree trimming to improve visibility. Speed restrictions and other traffic management will be in place at times on SH36 Hamurana, SH30 Lower Atiamuri, SH5 Reporoa/Mihi, SH2 Opotiki, and SH35 Opape.

SH5 south of Rotorua

Motorists are advised to expect short delays on SH5 Tumunui as the road is down to one lane and speed restrictions are in place.

Engineers are closely monitoring two cracks which have appeared in the highway. Geotechnical investigations are being carried out to determine the cause of the damage.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Heavy rain in the Eastern Bay of Plenty has led to an increase in slips and flooding across the road network. Motorists are advised to drive with extra care and attention when travelling in the region, especially in these areas: SH30 Rotorua lakes, SH2 Matata Straights, SH2 Waimana Gorge, SH2 Waioeka Gorge and SH35 North of Opotiki.

ENDS

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