Contractors working on state highway holiday routes in the Bay of Plenty will stop from 12 noon today (Thursday April 2) until the early hours of Tuesday April 7, to reduce delays to motorists over the Easter break, the NZ Transport Agency says.
Following the long weekend, speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management will be in place at various sites as work on the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) and a major road rehabilitation programme continues.
Motorists are advised to drive with care and allow extra time when travelling on roads around the region during the school holidays.
Sites where motorists can expect changes or delays of between five and 15 minutes are detailed below to allow people to plan ahead when travelling.
SH29 between Tauranga and Kaimai summit, Te Ahara Pavement Rehab
Stop/ go traffic management and speed restrictions of 30km/h will be in place on a stretch of SH29 near Soldiers Road to allow contractors to rehabilitate a length of highway.
The work started on March 30 and is expected to take six weeks. For safety reasons the eastbound passing lane will be closed during the works. Contractors will work outside peak traffic times, from 9am until 4pm each day, to reduce the impact on motorists.
Motorists will be driving on a metal surface from April 7 and that those travelling on this route should allow for delays of up to 10 minutes.
SH2 between Katikati and Waihi, Bridgman Lane Slip Repair
Stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction of 30km/h will be in place on a 400m stretch of SH2, as contractors repair a road slip near Bridgman Lane, near the Athenree Gorge.
The work will continue for approximately five weeks between the hours of 6am and 7pm. A 70kmh speed restriction will be in place outside of the stated work hours.
Motorists are advised to allow an extra 5 minutes when travelling on this route.
SH2 Rangitaiki River Bridge, Edgecumbe
Delays of up to 15 minutes are possible at times as work continues on the Rangitaiki River Bridge.
The bridge will be closed for up to 15 minutes at times over the next 11 weeks as contractors replace bearings on the piers.
There will be approximately three closures a week between the hours of 9.30am and 2pm until the job is complete. Electronic signs will be in place the day before a planned closure to notify motorists so they can plan ahead.
The alternative route is via Te Teko (SH30 and SH34). This route will add approximately 10 minutes to the normal travel time through Edgecumbe.
State Highway 2 between Te Maunga and Domain Road
From early April, a variety of temporary traffic management will be in place in preparation for both eastbound (Tauranga to Domain) and westbound (Domain to Tauranga) traffic to be switched onto the westbound lanes.
Tuesday 7 April – Sunday 12 April (between 9.00am and 4.00pm)
A 50km/h temporary speed restriction will be in place at various locations
Saturday 11 April and Sunday 12 April (between 6.00am and 6.00pm)
Westbound traffic (Domain to Tauranga) will be switched on to the new westbound lane during the day, then moved back onto the eastbound lane at night
From 6.00pm on Sunday 12 April through to 6.00am on Monday 13 April
Line marking and road sweeping will be carried out in preparation for the traffic switch when all east and westbound traffic will be moved onto the new westbound lanes. This will allow the contractor to start road surface repairs on the existing eastbound lanes. It is expected this road layout will be in place until the end of April 2015. During this time Bruce Road traffic will be required to use temporary on and off ramp exits.
ROAD CLOSURE for Jazz Festival – Tauranga
From 12am Friday, 3 April 2015 until 12am Sunday, 5 April 2015 inclusive :
The Strand – The central portion from Harington Street to Devonport Road excluding the roundabout
Wharf Street – Willow Street to The Strand
Hamilton Street – The Strand to a point adjacent to the eastern exit of City Produce Carpark
The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience.
For real time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link)
For more information please contact:
Natalie Dixon
Waikato / Bay of Plenty Media Manager
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928 413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz
