15 August 2016 | WAIKATO & BAY OF PLENTY

Allow extra time when travelling in Waikato and Bay of Plenty

The NZ Transport Agency is asking motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time while travelling in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Heavy rain and other weather events have affected highways in the regions with a small number of slips and damage to roads.

Transport Agency contractors are out in force maintaining the state highways and undertaking vital repairs.

Drivers are likely to encounter some speed restrictions and other traffic management which may cause delays.

Motorists should ensure they stick to the temporary speed limits and 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 (external link).

For real time information on highway conditions and incidents or to report issues on the network visit the Transport Agency's traffic and travel page, call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) or by following the Transport Agency on Facebook or @nztawaibop on twitter.

Motorists can also go to Drivelive (external link) , a dedicated website that tells people what the current travel times are to get to key places around the North Island.

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

Waikato

State Highway 25 - Slip 7km south of Coromandel town

The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists to expect delays on State Highway 25 just south of Coromandel Township due to an under slip.

The slip, below the highway, occurred at approximately 4pm Wednesday August 10. One lane of the road is currently closed and stop/go traffic management is in place.

Geotechnical experts are assessing the site. The road is closed to trucks and other heavy vehicles, which could cause more movement at the site. Heavy vehicles can use State Highway 25A as an alternative route.

Waikato Expressway — Rangiriri section

The NZ Transport Agency would like to remind motorists there are temporary speed restrictions in place along this section of SH1, including a temporary restriction of 50km/h as you enter each end of the new main alignment and a 70km/h restriction between the Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri Bridges.

These speed limits will be in place until the connections to the current SH1 at each end of the project are completed.

They are for the safety of both the travelling public and the contractor working on site.

The contractor will be removing the flexible safety barrier on the old SH1 this week. Local traffic can expect stop/go traffic management during this time.

Waikato Expressway - Huntly section

Traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place from Monday 15th August until Friday 19th August. This is to create a site entrance for the Huntly project as the contractor starts work at the very southern end of the project.

There is an on-going 70km/h speed restriction on SH1 between Fisher Road and where the new Huntly Northern Interchange is being built.

Bay of Plenty

SH2 - Waimana Gorge

A major slip has closed one lane. Traffic management and speed restrictions are in place. Motorists are advised to drive with care, adhere to the temporary speed restrictions and drive to the conditions.

SH5 Tumunui - south of Rotorua

Work on a major repair to State Highway 5 at Tumunui, south of Rotorua, gets underway next week and motorists are advised to expect lengthy delays and consider using an alternative route.

Transport Agency contractors will be digging out and replacing a 12 metre wide, four metre deep stretch of the highway, which has been damaged by a natural process called tunnel erosion.

A 30km/h speed restriction and stop/go traffic management has been in place since the damage to the road first occurred in late July. This will remain in place during the repair. Motorists should be prepared for delays of up to 15 minutes during work hours and are urged to consider using an alternative route such as State Highway 1 and State Highway 30.

SH30 Rotorua - Iles Road/Te Ngae Road intersection upgrade (Lynmore junction)

Work has started on upgrading the intersection at Iles Road and Te Ngae Road, also known as Lynmore junction.

Lights and a controlled pedestrian crossing are being installed as part of the Lynmore developments.

Initial work will be done off the state highway, such as relocating services (storm water, power, gas etc.).

The next step will be to widen the road and install the traffic lights. Temporary pedestrian and cycling access is signposted.

The work is expected to take 12 weeks and will be finished by mid-November. Motorists can expect some delays while work is being carried. To avoid any potential delays Lynmore residents can use alternative routes such as Vaughn Road and Tarawera/Lynmore connections.

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.

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