Motorists advised to allow extra time when travelling in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty due to road works

The NZ Transport Agency advises Waikato and Bay of Plenty motorists to leave extra time when travelling this month as work continues on major projects and safety improvements.

Transport Agency contractors are out in force maintaining the state highways and progressing projects such as the Waikato Expressway and Tauranga’s Maungatapu underpass.

Drivers are likely to encounter speed restrictions and other traffic management which may cause delays, and should get in the habit of allowing extra time for their journeys.

For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move www.onthemove.govt.nz

For real time information on highway conditions and incidents or to report issues on the network visit www.nzta.govt.nz and click on ‘traffic and travel’, call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) or by following the Transport Agency on Facebook or @nztawaibop on twitter.

Bay of Plenty motorists can also go to www.drivelive.nz, a dedicated website that tells people what the current travel times are to get to key places around the North Island.

Roadworks that are scheduled to start in the next week or are currently underway are detailed below to help people plan ahead when travelling. Works are weather dependent and may be postponed if necessary.

SH29/ Takitimu Drive and SH36/Taurikura Drive roundabout upgrade

Motorists are advised to expect delays when travelling through the roundabouts on Sunday July 17 and Monday July 18 while contractors carry out asphalting works.

Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place from 7pmeach night until approximately 5am the following day. Work on the roundabout will continue following these works, with traffic management including speed restrictions and lane closures in place for the next few weeks.

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.

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. Please take extra care in this area.

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.

Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri section

North-bound traffic will be moved onto the new southbound lanes, south of Rangiriri overnight on Monday (July 18) to allow contractors to carry out drainage works. Motorists are urged to drive with extra care and attention.

Speed restrictions remain in place along this section of State Highway 1 (SH1) as work on the Rangiriri section continues.

There is a 50km/speed restriction on the approaches to the new main alignment and 70km/h between the Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri bridges. Please respect them. Traffic is still one lane in each direction and will remain so until the project is fully complete.

ENDS

© Scoop Media