TRAFFIC BULLETIN

23 September 2016 | WAIKATO & BAY OF PLENTY

Intermittent road closures at State Highway 5 south of Rotorua

Motorists travelling between Rotorua and Taupo are advised to use State Highway 30 and State Highway 1 or expect significant delays over the weekend, particularly on Saturday morning 24 September. There are two major work sites located within approximately 17km of Rotorua.

• The first site is at the Waipa Mill rest area, just south of Waipa Mill Rd approximately 2km south of Rotorua. The works require intermittent road closures of 10 to 30 minutes to allow for several dangerous trees to be felled. The longest closures of up to thirty minutes are expected to occur Saturdaymorning from approximately 6:30am to 9:30am. Allow an extra 40 minutes for your journey if travelling through this site. The work may also continue on Sunday. The felling will be rescheduled if there are high winds.

• The second site is the on-going major repair work at the geological (tunnel erosion) site at Tumunui, by Wilsons Rd approximately 17km south of Rotorua. Weather permitting the Contractors will continue work on the pavement construction phase. The road will have single lane closures with intermittent 10 minute closures. Work is currently expected to be completed by early October.

The best route for all traffic travelling between Rotorua and Taupo is State Highway 30 and State Highway 1. That route will take around the same time as using State Highway 5. Alternatively, a number of local road detour routes are available.

Motorists can get real time information from:

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

• www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

For Waikato/Bay of Plenty updates

• www.facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP/

• www.twitter.com/NZTAWaiBoP

For current travel times use: www.drivelive.nz

The Transport Agency’s Winter Journeys website www.nzta.govt.nz/winter-journeys brings together tips on driving and links to get updates on the latest weather and road conditions.

For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On the Move (external link).

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

Waikato

Waikato Expressway Rangiriri

Another step towards completion comes next Monday night 26 September at 8pm when the old entrance into the village is permanently closed.

The closure date has come forward several weeks and means a safer entry and exit to the village comes sooner than originally programmed. It also means the contractors can advance work well ahead of the summer holiday peak period.

• Access to Rangiriri for north-bound SH1 traffic will be via the Rangiriri interchange off-ramp just north of the current intersection. Access from the northern end is via Wayside Rd, the Te Kauwhata roundabout and Te Wharepu Rd.

• People exiting northwards will use the Te Kauwhata interchange.

• People leaving the village south-bound will continue to use the on-ramp opposite the hotel.

Meanwhile, north and south-bound traffic which currently passes under the west side of the Rangiriri Overbridge will be switched to the east side overnight on Wednesday 28 September. Minor local diversions will be in place at times during the switch to remove or shift concrete barriers. Minor delays should be expected.

The Transport Agency thanks people for their patience while this job continues, particularly those in the North Waikato who have had changes to their routes as the interchanges and local road connections come on stream.

Sh3 Mokau

State Highway 3 south of Mokau is now open to one lane with a Stop/Go in place, following the slip which occurred in the area on Sunday. We would like to thank road users for their patience as crews have worked hard to ensure the road could be opened safely as soon as possible.

SH39 Pirongia – Market Day and Road Closure

This Sunday (25 September) a short section of SH39 in the Pirongia township will be closed while the Pirongia Market Day takes place. A detour will be provided through the township and the organisers have provided more all-weather parking than last year to ensure that there is less congestion. Motorists should follow the detour signage and could consider using an alternate route such as SH3 to avoid the area.

SH3 Ohaupo Road, Hamilton – Gas Main Work, Weekend Lane Closure

One southbound lane will be removed on Ohaupo Road through the intersection with Collins Road to enable relocation work on the gas pipeline. The lane closure will be put in place from 8:00pm Fridayevening (1 October) and will be removed early Monday morning before peak hour traffic begins. The work is part of the Ohaupo Cycle and Walking project and will mean that pedestrians will have more space than previously was available on the cramped footpath near the shops. It will also greatly improve safety and access for all pedestrians and cyclists travelling along Ohaupo Road. If it rains the closure will take place the following weekend.

SH26 Te Aroha – Car Show and Road Closure

The Aroha Cruise-In car show is taking place on Saturday 1st October in the centre of Te Aroha. A small section of SH26 in the town centre will be shut and a short detour will be provided. Motorists can expect increased traffic volumes in the area.

State Highway 25 - Slip below the road, 9kms south of Coromandel town

The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists to expect delays on State Highway 25 just south of Coromandel Township due to a slip below the road.

Work has begun on a 40 metre long retaining wall. One lane of the road is currently closed and stop/go traffic management is in place. Motorists can expect delays and should avoid the area if possible.

School Holidays – increased traffic volumes

This weekend is the beginning of the school holidays, so motorists travelling through the region over the weekend should expect increased traffic volumes. The Transport Agency is asking drivers to be patient with each other, take regular breaks if you’re feeling tired and to plan your journey by checking our website, social media or 0800 4HIGHWAYS number for up to date travel information – know before you go.

Bay of Plenty

SH5 south of Rotorua – Intermittent road closures at Waipa Mill rest area and at Tumunui

Motorists travelling between Rotorua and Taupo are advised to use State Highway 30 and State Highway 1 or expect significant delays over the weekend, particularly on Saturday morning 24 September. There are two major work sites located within approximately 17km of Rotorua. The first is at Waipa Mill rest area and the second is at Tumunui about 17kms south of Rotorua.

The best route for all traffic travelling between Rotorua and Taupo is State Highway 30 and State Highway 1. That route will take around the same time as using State Highway 5. Alternatively, a number of local road detour routes are available.

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

Work is continuing on the upgrade to the intersection at Iles Road and Te Ngae Road (SH30), also known as Lynmore junction.

Traffic signals and a controlled pedestrian crossing are being installed as part of the Lynmore development.

Road widening and other intersection improvements are continuing, and work is expected to be finished by mid-November. Motorists can expect some delays while work is being carried out, with intermittent stop/go required to allow for safe heavy vehicle movement to and from the construction site. To avoid any potential delays Lynmore residents can use alternative routes such as Vaughn Road and Tarawera/Lynmore connections.

SH2 Waioeka Gorge – Rock-fall prevention works

Contractors are undertaking rock-fall prevention works (rock-scaling and vegetation removal) at several sites within the Waioeka Gorge, between Opotiki and Gisborne, over the next nine weeks. Work will be completed under stop/go traffic management with intermittent closures of up to 10 minutes at a time. Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow an extra 15 minutes for their journey.

SH2 Te Puna Road roundabout

Road works are continuing on the intersection improvements. During the day will be A 30kph speed restriction will be put in place.

SH29/29a/36 Taurikura Drive intersection improvements

Motorists are asked to drive with extra care and expect delays when travelling through the roundabout over the coming weeks.

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. The works coincide with the opening of a new shopping centre nearby. Extra traffic is expected on the road at this time.

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