The last throes of March signal the end of the traditional summer road renewal period, and road workers across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty will be swapping bitumen and aggregate for hot cross buns and chocolate this Easter weekend.

It’s been a huge effort over the past 6 months, says Roger Brady, Regional Manager Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Maintenance and Operations at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

“By the end of the week we’re anticipating the majority of our 700 plus lane kilometre programme will be completed," says Roger.

"This makes up approximately 30 per cent of the national programme, and it takes a large number of people to plan, programme and deliver this work.

“We have been fortunate this year to have had several spells of fine weather, which has allowed teams to push through the programme.

"Combined with the large programme of projects taking place across the region this has at times meant people’s journeys have been disrupted. We appreciate your patience while we have undertaken this work.

“It’s great to see works, such as those at Rangiriri, coming to completion, and road users experiencing the benefits,” says Roger.

Work that is less affected by lowering ground temperatures, such as asphalt resurfacing, will continue into April.

Roger says this hard work will bear fruit over winter, when the colder, wetter weather will try and eat away at roads across the country.

“Contractors are starting to make the transition from summer renewals into winter maintenance mode. It’s yin and yang, proactive vs reactive. Our focus for the winter months is all about keeping roads safe and accessible by keeping on top of any issues as they occur,” says Roger.

As we head into the Easter weekend it’s important to plan ahead.

Roads are expected to have higher than usual traffic volumes at the start and end of the weekend. The NZTA Holiday Journeys page lists key routes and the times they are at their busiest.

“Planning ahead is the key to successfully reaching your destination on time,” says Roger.

“Knowing how long your journey will take ensures you leave on time and reduces stress. Even though temperatures are getting cooler it still pays to ensure you have plenty of snacks and food.

“The team at NZTA hopes everyone has an enjoyable Easter weekend.”

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. On Wairoa Road, traffic has been shifted onto the Wairoa Bridge. Traffic on the bridge is down to one lane with traffic management still in place. The road layout will change frequently while drainage and utilities are installed along with tying in works to connect to the existing road. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational with a temporary speed limit of 60km/h alongside the haul road. More information.
• Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until early April 2024, there is a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and all heavy vehicles can use SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. In the next phase of work, with the bridge in use, we will continue work to build the new Cambridge Road East intersection. A section of Cambridge Road East from Moffat Road to St Andrews Roundabout will be closed while the new intersection joining onto Moffat Road is constructed. Detours will be in place for the closed section of Cambridge Road East. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link:  Overnight closures (approximately 7pm to 5am each night) of SH29A between SH29A Baypark roundabout and Maungatapu roundabout – from Tuesday 2 April to Thursday 4 April. On Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 April SH29A westbound will be closed between the SH29A Baypark roundabout and the Maungatapu roundabout. On Thursday 4 April SH29A will be closed in both directions between the SH29A Baypark roundabout and the Maungatapu roundabout. During these hours, a signposted detour via SH2, Eleventh Avenue, Fraser Street, Fifteenth Avenue, Turret Road/Hairini bridge and Welcome Bay Link Road will apply for light vehicles. A signposted detour via SH2, SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road and SH29A will apply for heavy vehicles. 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.
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 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 June 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 is underway at Sharp Road 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, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 minutes. Temporary traffic management in place with reduced lane width and speed restrictions to protect the work site and road users. Starting in April, 3.8km of flexible median barrier in the Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) is being installed, this is due to be complete by early May. Widening work has previously taken place at this location and installation of median barrier has been coordinated with the reseals programme on SH2 this summer. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions.
• SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway; these are enabling works for roundabout construction. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 minutes. Temporary traffic management in place with reduced lane width and speed restrictions to protect the work site and road users.
• SH2 Tahawai: Lane shifts, shoulder closures and speed restrictions are in place between Kauri Point Road and Stokes Road as services are relocated. These works are expected to be completed by the end of March.
• 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.
• SH2 Te Puna: Powerline removal and upgrades will take place between Loop Road and Ainsworth Road between 7am and 7pm each day from Tuesday 2 April until Friday 5 April. At times both lanes will be held for 2 minutes at a stop/stop while this work is done. Delays are to be expected. There will also be underground drilling taking place at the same time across the highway.
• SH29 Kaimai:  Resurfacing between Ngamuwahine Road and Kaimai School will take place between Sunday 7 April and Wednesday 24 April. The work will be carried out from Sunday to Thursday between 8pm and 5am each night. Lane diversions and stop/go with 30km/h temporary speed limits will be in place during these hours. Expect minor delays during daytime hours, as lane shifts and temporary speed limits remain in place for uneven surfaces.
• SH36 Pyes Pā: Tree felling is underway near 1226 Pyes Pā Road and will continue until mid-April. Work is taking place between 7am and 5pm each week day, traffic will be held when a tree is being felled; this should be a delay of no more than 2 minutes.
• SH2 Old Te Puke Road to Otamarakau: From early April, safety improvements will be undertaken along SH2. This will include a new side barrier at the intersection of SH2 and Old Coach Rd, new signage and hazard warning signs, improved road markings and audio tactile profiles (rumble strips) between Otamarakau and Old Te Puke Rd. This work will be done overnight over several weeks, with stop/go traffic management in place.

Rotorua

· SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work underway between Tumene Drive and Ōwhata Road includes surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. The bus stop outside 473 SH30 Te Ngae Road is currently closed while construction is underway on new bus stop foundations. The nearest operational bus stop is located 50-metres west on SH30 / Te Ngae Road (towards Basley Road). Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.
 

· SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Pavement construction is underway and minor traffic delays are expected for this work about 6km north of Ōkere Falls. Other work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. From Tuesday 2 April 24/7 traffic lights will be operational, we expect these to be in place for 4 weeks. Minor delays are expected. More information.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk. Repairs on the bridge have started and are expected to be completed in mid-April.

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. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 40 minutes across the SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor. Stop/go traffic management and temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h are in place at worksites. Safety improvements are underway at: Marshall’s Bridge between Eskdale and Glengarry; south of the passing lane between Te Pōhue and Te Hāroto; and at the curves south of Tarawera café. TREC also starts work in early April at the passing lane near Te Pōhue Golf Club, and then in late April/early May at the intersection of SH5 and Ohurakura Road. As work is dependent on variables such as weather, these dates may change at short notice. More information.

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH1 Utiku: Road repair work on SH1 Utiku has been completed, traffic management removed, and the 100km/h speed limit was restored today (Thursday), ahead of the expected build-up in traffic for Easter.

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 Wharekaho. 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: From early April, new signage and hazard warning signs, improved road markings and audio tactile profiles (rumble strips) will be installed along SH25A to make the road safer. This work will be done overnight over several weeks, 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: Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time while important road repairs are carried out on SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge from early April. As part of the wider road renewals programme the highway will be closed overnight through the gorge for 5 nights from Sunday 7 April to allow for road resurfacing. The road will close from 8pm until 5am and temporary speed limits will be in place during the day. A separate project to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery will also begin in the first half of April. This will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. The road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place while work is being done. 
• SH27 Waharoa: Safety upgrade work continues on SH27 between Walker Street and McGowan Street and is expected to be finished by early April. The majority of work has been completed, and traffic management removed, with just road marking to take place after Easter.
• SH24 Matamata to SH29: At times stop/go traffic management will be in place until mid-April, while road widening work is completed, followed by signage and rumble strip installation. Minor delays are expected.
• SH29 Hinuera: Work to rebuild the road adjacent to the rail crossing is in its final stages. The site will be under speed restrictions over Easter, then from early April the pavement will be rebuilt, and a final asphalt surface applied.

Central Waikato

· SH1 Lichfield: Just north of Tokoroa, road rehabilitation continues until early April. Final sealing will take place after Easter. Over the Easter long weekend, the site will have one lane open in each direction between 8pm and 5am, with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. Between 8am and 5pm light vehicles will be detoured southbound via Wiltsdown Road, Paraonui Road and Rollett Road. Northbound vehicles will travel in the opposite direction. Heavy vehicles will remain on SH1 at all times. Please follow the directions of onsite signage.

· 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 is a 50km/h speed restriction between Atiamuri bridge and Ohakuri Road, and a 70km/h speed restriction between Ohakuri Road and Thorpe Road.

· SH1 Maroa Road: Resealing and joint repairs have been completed - part of the finishing works on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year.

· SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation continues between SH5 / Napier Road and the airport roundabout. One lane is open in each direction with speed restrictions in place. Completion is expected by 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 early April and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

West Waikato

• SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: Final surfacing has been completed. The northbound speed limit has returned to 110km/h, the southbound speed limit will be 70km/h over Easter, while the new surface continues to bed in. More information.
• SH1 Horotiu Interchange: Road resurfacing takes place on the SH1B overbridge above SH1 on Friday 5 April, between 7pm and 7am. During this time the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp will be inaccessible, with detours via the Lake Road on-ramp (southbound) and Ohinewai interchange (northbound). Stop/go traffic management will be in place for traffic using the overbridge.
• 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. There are northbound closures and detours Sundays to Thursdays, 7pm-5am, until 11 April. There will be no detours over Easter weekend. More information.
• SH1C Te Rapa Bypass: Starting Tuesday 2 April, road resurfacing on a 6km section, between Te Wetini Dr/Wairere Dr overbridge near Wintec through to the Horotiu Interchange, will begin. This work is expected to take 3 months. Work will start on the southernmost section after Easter weekend, with night works running from Tuesday night 2 April to Thursday night 4 April, then Sunday night 7 April until Thursday night 11 April. The night work is expected to be complete by Thursday 18 April. The road will be shut between 8pm and 6am when work is taking place, with the northbound lanes scheduled to be done first, followed by the southbound lanes. While the Te Rapa section is closed the detour between the Horotiu Interchange and SH1C Mangaharakeke Drive will be via Wairere Drive and Te Rapa Road.
• SH1C/SH3 Hamilton: Road resurfacing continues at the Kahikatea Drive/Ohaupo Road/Lorne Street and Normandy Avenue intersections until Thursday 4 April. Following the Easter weekend, work restarts at midnight Monday 1 April, with crews working from 7pm until 6am each night. During this work the road will be closed to through traffic for a period of time, the detour is via SH1C Lorne Street and SH3 Normandy Avenue. At all other times stop/go traffic management will be in place at the intersection of SH1C Lorne Street/Kahikatea Drive and SH3 Ohaupo Road.
• SH1C Cobham Bridge: Resurfacing of the Cobham Bridge will take place on Thursday 4 April. Cobham Drive, south of the intersection with Normandy Avenue through to Grey Street, will be closed between 8pm and 6am while this work is completed. The light vehicle detour is via Cobham Drive north of Normandy Avenue, Anzac Parade, Grey Street, Clyde Street and Galloway Street. Heavy vehicles, including over-weight and over-dimension vehicles, will be stacked and released through the site at regular intervals.
• 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 progressing slower than planned, awaiting the relocation of telecommunication cables. Our contractors began establishing the site on Monday 4 March, during which time the cables were discovered. Necessary arrangements are now being made for these to be moved. In the meantime, a shoulder closure remains in place at the site but any effect on travel times in the area should be minor. Work will continue as soon as possible, with the aim of completing construction in June (weather permitting). More information.
• SH1 Karāpiro (Tunakawa Road): The finishing touches are being applied to the Tunakawa Road turnaround bay over the next 2 weeks, with work to pause over the Easter period. From Tuesday next week, installation of median barrier from Mobil Karāpiro to Fergusson Gully Road will commence. This work will occur overnight on weeknights from Tuesday 2 April until Friday 12 April (weather permitting) and will require alternating stop/go traffic management. All work is expected to be completed by mid-April. More information.
• SH1 Karāpiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed mid-2024. The current focus is on pavement construction, which will be followed by surfacing, lighting, and barrier installation. The worksite is under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h and the crew is currently working directly behind the delineators, so it is essential for safety that motorists adhere to the temporary speed limit. The slow (left-hand) lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road is closed for the majority of construction. Access in and out of Kentucky Road remains. Work is expected to be finished by late June.
• SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Roundabout construction continues with most work currently happening off the state highway. Road users can expect to see layout changes on SH1 and SH29 in stages. The first layout change will start after Easter, with traffic south of the roundabout moving onto a newly constructed section of road adjacent to SH1, allowing construction to continue on the southern end of SH1/29 (Tirau leg). This will remain until September when further traffic changes will take place. Temporary traffic management is in place, including speed restrictions, shoulder closures and lane shifts, please follow the instructions of the team on site and any temporary traffic signage. Delays are expected and an increase of vehicle movements including truck and trailers carting material to site. More information.
• SH30 Te Kuiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
• SH30 Kōpaki: Work to repair the slip is complete. Crews will return on Tuesday 2 April to install the roadside barrier.
• 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

• Pioneer Road (north): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp is closed while slip repairs take place. Please continue on SH1 and exit at the Pōkeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using the Pōkeno southbound on-ramp onto SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (south). Work will be ongoing until Friday 17 May. 
• SH1 Hampton Downs: There will be a full southbound closure on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April, between 9pm and 5am each night, for road resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.

Taranaki

· SH3 Uruti: Slip repairs continue at SH3 Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network. Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction is in place 24/7. There will be periods where the traffic needs to be held in both directions for up to 30 minutes. This is due to the nature of the work which may see rocks falling onto the road.  Work is expected to be complete by early April.

· 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 Mt Messenger: From 7pm on Friday 5 April to 4am on Monday 8 April SH3 Mt Messenger will be closed for resurfacing. There will be scheduled openings to clear traffic queues. Outside this time, road users can expect stop/go traffic management at night from 6pm to 6am between Tuesday 2 April and Friday 19 April, with delays expected of up to 30 minutes. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead.

· 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. People travelling to or from Waitara via Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street. Both lanes of SH3 are open, and a temporary roundabout will be in place at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection, with the current traffic lights removed. 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 from Sunday 14 April, taking approximately three weeks to complete. 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.

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)