Waikato and Bay of Plenty roadwork update

Major roading projects progressing around Waikato and Bay of Plenty, expect delays and allow extra time when travelling

The NZ Transport Agency advises Waikato and Bay of Plenty motorists to leave extra time when travelling over the coming 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.

Waikato

SH1 Riverlea works

Night-time State Highway 1 travellers may encounter short delays at Riverlea, just south of Hamilton over the next week.

Culvert investigation work will see traffic managed through the site under stop/go from8.30pm to 6am starting from Sunday July 31 night until Friday August 5.

The north-bound lane will be closed from Newell Road to Riverlea Road on the nights fromSunday to Thursday morning; this traffic will be moved over to the south-bound lane.

The south-bound lane will be closed from Newell Road to Riverlea Road on Thursdaynight/Friday morning; this traffic will be moved over to the north-bound lane.

There will be no disruption to traffic outside those hours. This work is weather-dependent and may be postponed if required.

Gallagher Drive lights, Hamilton

The traffic signals project at the Kahikatea Drive-Gallagher Drive intersection in Hamilton continues, with more night work scheduled from Monday 1 August.

There will be speed restrictions and stop/go as contractors tie in the new lanes and start asphalting. SH1 travellers may encounter short delays.

Night works will continue all next week subject to good weather. Despite recent rain this project is expected to be finished by the end of August.

Waikato Expressway - Rangiriri section

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.

Waikato Expressway - Huntly section

Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place next week on State Highway 1B Gordonton Road at the Gordonton Interchange and motorists are advised to expect delays.

The traffic management will be in place from Monday August 1 until Friday August 5 between the hours of 7am and 5.30pm to allow contractors to construct a new site entrance as work on this project continues.

Bay of Plenty

SH29A Maungatapu roundabout

The NZ Transport Agency is encouraging drivers to avoid State Highway 29A at the Maungatapu roundabout this weekend as delays of up to 12 minutes are possible.

Heavy machinery, including large cranes, will be moving a high voltage power line so work can continue on the roundabout as part of the Maungatapu underpass project.

Speed restrictions and lane closures will be in place on Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31between the hours of 7am and 6pm and drivers travelling through will experience lengthy delays.

Motorists are urged to use alternative routes or plan travel outside of these hours to avoid delays at the busy worksite.

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 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.

State Highway 5 (SH5), south of Rotorua

Motorists are advised to expect delays on SH5 at 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 problem. Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes such as SH1/SH30 if possible.

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.

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