NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and its contractors can hold their heads high and look back on a summer that has seen over 2000 lane kilometres of road renewals achieved nationwide says Andy Oakley, Waikato System Manager, Maintenance and Operations. 

“Now, as colder nights become the norm, our contractors are preparing to move into winter road maintenance mode,” says Andy.

Road users will also start to see crews proactively monitoring and maintaining the state highway network to ensure all roads are safe and accessible.  

“We continuously track the weather and have plans in place for when the temperatures drop and it looks like it may start to snow, or ice may form,” says Andy. 

“Where we know it gets cold, we use Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) to prevent ice from forming on the roads, and we have processes for managing the Central Plateau, particularly State Highway 1 Desert Road, when snow is on the way.  

“Our priority is always the safety of people using our roads and our crews. This may mean, at times, roads are closed, or travel times are slower than usual, however the most important thing is to arrive at your destination safely.” 

For up-to-date travel information please check the Journey Planner. 

 Bay of Plenty 

 Tauranga 

·       Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. There will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. The temporary haul road, separated from SH2 in the Te Mete Valley area, will be disestablished over the next couple of weeks.  The temporary speed limit in this area is 60km/h.  More information.  
 ·       SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers. 
 ·       Cambridge/Moffat roads: The Cambridge Road overbridge work is complete, and the bridge is open to traffic. The speed limit within the work zone between Sunny Downs Drive and the Adventist School is 30km/h. In the next phase of work, contractors will continue work to build the new Cambridge Road East from Moffat Road to St Andrews roundabout intersection. This area has been closed with traffic management in place. 
 ·       SH29 Tauriko/Redwood Lane: Work is underway as part of the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project on Redwood Lane and on SH29 between Belk Road and north of Redwood Lane. In the coming week, shoulder closures will be in place with no delays expected. From Tuesday 7 May, work will begin to remove the shelter belts on SH29 near Redwood Lane. Traffic management will be in place for the duration of this work including lane deviation and a reduced speed limit of 30km/h. If you are travelling while any of this work is underway, please plan ahead, allow extra time and move with caution through the project site. nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-enabling-works 
 ·       SH2 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui: Road rebuilding and resurfacing will take place on SH2 Hewletts Road until mid-May. This work is being carried out at night between 8.30pm and 5.30am from Sunday to Thursday each week. There will be detours or lane closures in place for different phases of this work. More information. 

 ·       SH2 Bay Link:  SH2 Bay Link: On Sunday 28 April and Monday 29 April, overnight road closures (from approximately 7pm to 6am the following morning) will apply on Truman Lane westbound (between Baypark and the SH29A roundabout) and on SH2 in both directions (between SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange and the Bayfair flyover). Overnight lane closures will also apply across the Bay Link site from Tuesday 30 April to Thursday 2 May (from approximately 7pm to 6am the following morning). Closures and detours will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress. More information. 
 ·       SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until September 2024. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road. 
 ·       SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers are in place until approximately August 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information. 

 Western Bay of Plenty 

 ·       SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Roundabout construction at Sharp Road is underway with significant activities including nighttime stop/go for asphalt works. There will also be daytime intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. Starting in late April 3.8km of flexible median barrier in the Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) is being installed, this is due to be complete by the end of May. There will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause some delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. 

 ·       SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway. Lane shifts are in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. 

 ·       SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Shoulder closures and speed reductions are in place near the SH2/Ōmokoroa Road intersection as early works take place ahead of the Ōmokoroa roundabout project. More information.  

 Rotorua 

 ·       Rotorua Marathon: The 60th Rotorua Marathon will take place on Saturday 4 May from 8am to 5pm. The course is around Lake Rotorua and follows SH5, SH36, SH33, SH30 and SH30A, as well as Hamurana Road. Traffic management and race marshalls will be in place along the course, motorists are asked to take care and be aware of runners and walkers taking part. 
 ·       SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: From 7.30pm Sunday 28 April, there will be 3 weeks of overnight road closures on SH30 Te Ngae Road, between Ōwhata Road and Basley Road, to allow safety improvements to be completed.  The road will be closed Sunday to Thursday nights, between 7.30pm and 5am, and this work is weather dependent. Outside these hours and days, the road will be open as normal. While the road is closed, access for all local residents and businesses will be maintained. More information.   

·       SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Approximately 6km north of Ōkere Falls on SH33, pavement construction is underway and minor traffic delays can be expected. Other work includes road widening, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits.  More information 

 ·       SH5 Rotorua: We’re resurfacing a 700m section of SH5, between Dansey Road and Tarukenga Road. This work starts Monday 29 April between 9am and 3pm, taking 3 days to complete (weather dependent). Stop/go and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place. Minor delays should be expected. 

 Eastern Bay of Plenty 

 ·       SH2 Waioeka Gorge: Work to repair 2 underslips in the Waioeka Gorge has started and will take 2 months to complete. Crews will be on site between 7am and 6pm each weekday. The worksites are at Oponae and near Goldsmiths Reserve (approximately 4 kms north of Oponae).  

 ·       SH34 Kawerau – Tarawera River bridge walkway: Upgrades to the walkway over the Tarawera River in Kawerau continue until the end of June. The old walkway is being demolished and a new steel walkway will be built. During construction there will be stop/go in place between 6.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, when there is no work taking place on site traffic signals will be operating. Scaffolding will be in place under the bridge, so the waterway can be protected, and workers can be kept safe during construction. [http://more%20information/]More information 
 ·       SH35 Motu Bluff: Work to remove tree debris from the Motu Bluffs along SH35 will begin within the next 2 weeks. This work will be carried out via helicopter approximately 120mtrs back from the state highway. While there will be activity is the air, there is no disruption to the state highway. 
 Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay: 

 ·       SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5 between Eskdale and Waipunga. There will be a full closure on SH5 between Taupo and Napier, on 29 April from 8pm - 5am. There is no detour. There will be resident access only from Caroline Drive to Waipunga Bridge, and on the southern side of the closure from Tarawera Cafe to Glengarry Road. The state highway is closed to all other traffic for asphalting sites in Tarawera from 8pm - 5am. On Tuesday 30 April on SH5, between 8pm - 5am there will be 40-minute stop/stops (where the traffic is held on both sides) at Waione Bridge. There is no detour for either of these sites. More information. 

Manawatū-Whanganui 

        SH1 Marton: Drainage improvement works are taking place on State Highway 1 from Monday 29 April to Wednesday 8 May. Between 8am – 5pm weekdays (including Saturday if needed), the northbound lane will be closed and traffic detoured via: Wings Line, French Street, Matai Street, Main Street, Nga Tawa Road, Calico Line and back to SH1. The detour is HPMV approved and is expected to add 5 minutes to journey times. Southbound traffic will continue through site. The overall project is expected to be completed by late June, with much of the work occurring off the state highway. Temporary traffic management, including a reduced speed limit through the site will remain in place while the project is underway. More information. 

Waikato 

·       A variety of safety improvements across the Waikato have started, these will contribute towards making the roads safer. The programme of works includes a mixture of new and modified signage, new hazard warning signs, roadside safety/barrier guard rail, road widening, improved road lines and improved road markings. It is expected there will be minimal disruption for motorists while this work is completed. The works will take place until June 2024. More information. 

East Waikato 

·       SH25 Coromandel: Ongoing recovery works to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. The sites include Kereta, Te Kouma and Pumpkin Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. Work is also underway between Whangamatā and Waihī to repair and upgrade side drains. More information.  

·       SH25A: New signage and hazard warning signs, improved road markings and audio tactile profiles (rumble strips) are being installed along SH25A to make the road safer. This work will be completed in May with stop/go traffic management in place.   

·       SH25 Ruamahunga: Slip stabilisation continues. Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. These will require a series of short road closures so the helicopter can safely operate over the road. This is usually done mid-week across the middle of the day to minimise impacts on traffic. 

·       SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Work is now underway to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery, road users should allow extra time as delays can be expected. The road will usually be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place while work is being done. Two-way traffic will be in place for this weekend, to allow for holiday traffic volumes. Work will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. 

·       SH2 Waihī: Powerco will be installing underground fibre cables in Waihī on Monday 29 April from 8am to 4pm. SH2 will be closed at the intersection of Rosemont Road and Kenny Street to the intersection of Seddon Street and Kenny Street, with a detour available via Kenny Street.    

·       SH27 Kaihere: Motorists are advised to take care while underslip repairs take place. Work will start on Monday 6 May, taking between 4 and 6 weeks to complete, depending on weather. While this work is underway the road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place. 

Central Waikato 

·       SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is underway for safety barrier installation, from the Waikato River bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers in some places and there’s a 50km/h speed restriction throughout. 

·       SH1 Maroa Road: Finishing works are underway on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year. There will be stop/go in place between Monday 29 April and Wednesday 1 May for barrier and seal repairs. 

·       SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening continues ahead of flexible safety barrier installation, between SH5/Napier Road and the airport roundabout. One lane is open in each direction with speed restrictions in place. Completion is expected mid-2024. More information.   

·       SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Works to repair the washout are due to begin in June and will take 3-4 weeks to complete. 

·       SH1 Desert Road: Resurfacing will take place for 1 night on Sunday 28 April from 6pm to 6am, the road will be closed between Waiouru and Rangipo. A detour will be in place from SH1 via SH46, SH47, SH4 and SH49. 

West Waikato 

·       SH1C Te Rapa Bypass: Due to resurfacing works SH1C through the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway, from Wairere Drive overbridge to the Horotiu interchange, will be reduced to 1 lane in each direction with a 50km/h speed limit until Sunday 30 June. Night closures will occur Sun to Thu nights, between 8pm and 6am each night. There will also be 1 Friday night of work on Friday 3 May. The southbound lanes will be closed nightly from Sun 28 April for five nights. 

·       SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes and 50km/h speed restriction.  More information. 

·       SH1 Karāpiro (Hickey Road): Construction of the fifth turnaround bay in the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road, is underway. Along with constructing the turnaround bay, there will be road widening at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and installation of median and side safety barriers. Construction hours are 7am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, with no work on Sunday or public holidays, and temporary traffic management in place. The impact on SH1 traffic is expected to be minor, although there are multiple worksites between Cambridge and Piarere, so some delay to journeys is expected. More information  
 ·       SH1 Karāpiro (Tunakawa Road - Keeleys Reserve): The finishing touches are now being applied to a stretch of road improvements between Gorton Road and Fergusson Gully Road. Lighting has been installed at the intersection of SH1 and Fergusson Gully Road and will be operational by early May. A concrete island has been installed at the Keeley’s Reserve turnaround to restrict traffic turning right out of the reserve. Traffic wanting to travel south will make use of the turnaround bay at Tunakawa Road. More information.

·       SH1 Karāpiro: Work continues on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, in preparation for median barrier installation. Work is progressing well, with the removal of the temporary steel barriers underway this week to make way for the permanent median safety barrier. This will be followed by new line marking. To minimise the impact to motorists, this work is being completed during night shifts over the next 3 weeks. Night shifts will occur from 7pm to 6am on Sunday – Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place. Day works will continue from Monday to Friday, with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place. We are on track to complete work in this area in June 2024. More information. 

·       SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: A key focus at present is the construction of the southern (Tīrau side) approach road. To safely accommodate this work, traffic south of the roundabout has been moved onto a newly constructed section of road adjacent to SH1. This is a short bypass road which rejoins SH1 before the intersection and continues to operate as normal. This arrangement is expected to remain in place until September 2024. Motorists are asked to drive with extra care through the site, while people adjust to the new road layout. A temporary speed limit of 60km/h will be in place around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area. More information.  

·       SH23 Raglan: From Monday 29 April there will be 3 weeks of daytime stop/go traffic management just outside Raglan, at the corner of Greenslade Road and SH23. This is to allow an embankment to be stabilised by the road and is expected to be completed by 20 May. The weekday stop/go traffic management will be in place between 9am and 3pm, with delays of up to 10 minutes expected. Outside of these times and over weekends the road will be fully open, with shoulder closures and speed restrictions in place.  

·       SH3 Te Kūiti: Drivers on SH3 are advised to expect delays, with work taking place to build a retaining wall and culvert on a stretch of highway between Te Kūiti and the SH3/SH4 junction. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at night, with lane shifts in place during the day. Traffic management will be in place until the end of May 2024.  

North Waikato 

·       SH1 Pioneer Road (North): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp remains closed. Motorists should continue on SH1 and exit at Pōkeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using Pōkeno southbound on-ramp on SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (South). Slip repairs will be ongoing until 17 May. 

·       Hampton Downs: The northbound on-ramp will be closed on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 May between 8pm and 5am for maintenance. Please use alternative on-ramp at Rodda Road.  

·       Dragway Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Thursday 2 May between 10pm and 5am for maintenance work. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.  

·       Dimmock Road to Steen Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Sunday 28 April and Wednesday 1 May between 9pm and 5am for maintenance work.   

·       Okaeria Road to Steen Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Monday 29 April between 9pm and 5am for maintenance. 

·       Nikau Road: There will be a full northbound closure between Nikau Road northbound off-ramp and on-ramp but the ramps are still open from Sunday 28 April to Thursday 2 May between 9pm and 5am.  Please use the recommended detour via Ridge Road.    

Taranaki 

·       SH3 Awakino Gorge: Multiple maintenance activities will take place from Monday 29 April until Friday 3 May. Road closures will take place between 10am and 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place between 6am and 6pm outside closure hours. Delays of 15-20 minutes are expected during periods where stop/go traffic management is in place. 

·       SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Until mid-June, Princess Street will be closed between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue to everyone except residents while roadworks continue. Crews are now ready to start on the final pieces of work for the roundabout and pedestrian underpass. This will include completing the roundabout itself, installing streetlights on SH3, and laying down asphalt. To allow this work to take place safely and efficiently, the temporary roundabout at the SH3/Princess Street intersection will be removed and the road reduced to one lane from the evening of Sunday 21 April until mid-June 2024. During this stop/go traffic management, road users are advised to expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Alongside the stop/go traffic management, a temporary 30km/h speed limit will remain in place. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024. More information.  

·       SH4 Paroparowhero Culvert Replacement: Work to repair damage from heavy rainfall on SH4 north of Taumarunui, between the intersection of SH43 and Okahukura Bridge Road will continue until June 2024. The repair work involves a temporary road to maintain traffic flow under 24/7 e-light stop/go controls, while crews install a 3.5 x 4 metre box culvert. Please drive carefully and follow all temporary speed restrictions in place. Oversize loads are asked to take alternative routes where possible. Road users are asked to plan ahead for delays of up to 15 minutes in this area. 

·       SH4 Hakiaha Street: Road resurfacing in Taumarunui continues until Wednesday 1 May. During this time crews will work 24/7, with a single lane closure in place between River Road and Turaki Street. Southbound traffic will continue to use SH4, and northbound traffic will be detoured via Turaki Street, Miriama Street and River Road.  

For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated. 
 
The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz). 
 
"NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient," says an NZTA spokesperson.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

·       Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

• Facebook: facebook.com/TransportAgency
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahi_news
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)