State Highway 2 near Snodgrass Rd will undergo a six-week overnight asphalt rebuild starting January 12 to improve safety and reduce disruptions.

The works, scheduled for completion by February 24 (weather permitting), include temporary overnight closures of Snodgrass and Te Puna Quarry roads, with detours via Munro, Armstrong, and Borell roads, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a statement.

“We understand how working in this area of the Western Bay can cause significant delays and queues, which is why crews are working at night to minimise disruption and getting the majority of the work done during the school holidays when traffic volumes are lower,” said Sandra King, NZTA Bay of Plenty system manager.

During the day, a reduced speed limit will apply, and gentle ramps will ease height differences on SH2.

“Maintenance on this high-volume stretch of road is very important for the safety and resilience of the network. These works involve digging out the existing road layers and replacing them layer by layer,” King said.

The project is part of the Government’s $2.07 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention Fund for road and drainage renewal and maintenance from 2024-27.

“More than 20,000 people travel through this part of SH2 daily and a smooth road makes all these trips safer and more enjoyable, and we encourage people to check the NZTA Journey Planner before you travel,” King added.

The overnight closures will be from 8pm to 5.30pm.