Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is holding an information session with Western Bay of Plenty District Council at The Centre – Pātuki Manawa in Katikati on Monday 5 July between 1pm and 6.30pm.

Waka Kotahi is currently analysing the 500 pieces of feedback received during the consultation phase of a proposed median barrier for a 14km section of State Highway 2 between Tetley Road and Esdaile Road, which includes median barrier and five to six turnaround areas.

Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says it was encouraging to see the number of people in the community interested in the plans.

“While not included in the original scope for the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project, a median barrier to physically separate opposing traffic and prevent head-on collisions, was always part of the longer-term plan for the corridor.

“We will not apologise for putting the safety of people first. While no decisions have been made in the detailed design phase, we welcome another opportunity to discuss the proposals with the community. People are passionate about road safety,” says Ms Wilton.

Waka Kotahi is installing proven safety interventions along SH2 as part of the Road to Zero road safety strategy. These include widening the road, putting in a wide centreline, widening the road shoulders, putting in roadside safety barriers and making intersections safer.

“Flexible barriers are a cost-effective infrastructure treatment that can reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in crashes by 75 percent.

“Improving safety on New Zealand roads is a priority for Waka Kotahi. To achieve Vision Zero, we must put the safety of people first, before efficiency and travel time. This commitment to saving lives is behind our ongoing work to make SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa safer,” says Ms Wilton.

“The next step after this information session is to hold cottage meetings with residents whose access may be affected by the proposed design.”

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Deputy CEO and Infrastructure Services Group Manager, Gary Allis says this is a chance for people who missed the SH2 Waihī to Tauranga corridor open day in March to come and get updates on the safety projects along State Highway 2.

“The proposed median barrier between Tetley Road and Esdaile Road, south of Katikati, has been a hot topic. This is a chance for the community to come along, listen to what is being proposed, and ask questions so they understand the full picture,” says Mr Allis.

Event details:
Monday 5 July 2021
The Centre – Pātuki Manawa, Katikati
Drop in between 1pm and 6.30pm

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

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• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

The initial repair works are programmed to get underway on Thursday 17 June and will be completed before Saturday 20 June, weather permitting. 

Further maintenance work will be required in this area at a later date.

Motorists are asked to take extra care when travelling through the site, and follow the direction of traffic management staff and signs.

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for the latest information on traffic, roadworks, road closures and detours to help plan their trip.

Journey Planner website

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we undertake this important work.

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

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

This is for  a second night of deck monitoring and data analysis after the recent floods left one pier slightly lower than the rest. 

One night of monitoring and analysis last week showed that the pier had stabilised and most traffic was allowed back onto the bridge 24/7, aside from overweight and over-size vehicles.

During this week’s closure Waka Kotahi will also be installing electronic monitoring equipment to allow remote monitoring of the structure.

Thursday night additional closure for deck repair, weather dependent, five hours proposed

As well as the Wednesday night two-hour closure, if the weather remains dry the bridge will be closed Thursday night, 17 June, 11 pm to 4 am Friday to smooth out the deck.

Canterbury real-time traffic information

Overweights, over-dimensions no go

Overweight and oversize permit vehicles cannot use the bridge, however, this will be updated after the Thursday night work.

Timeline for repair

Waka Kotahi is aiming to complete the bridge repair in the next two months.

Waka Kotahi thanks all bridge users for their patience over the past fortnight as this bridge investigation got underway and traffic management for everyone’s safety was put in place.

Detour route for overweight permitted traffic in Ashburton District

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

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• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/canterbury
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Frankton and the town centre are the main areas with the highest impact upon road users, says Mark Stewart, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Maintenance Contract Manager, Central Otago.

Some of the works were planned at night to limit disruption while others were restricted to lane shifts or had detours in place to limit delays for road users during the day.

“We know any works along State Highway 6A (Frankton Road), or within the town centre, affects residents, visitors and freight operators but this is not always something we can avoid,” he says.

Road users will have noticed disruption to the network in recent weeks from multiple contractors. This includes the removal of unstable trees on Frankton Road this week and the closure of Shotover Street to allow for Queenstown Lakes District Council wastewater upgrades.

Shotover Street closure information

Stop-go sites along SH6A will also be evident in the evenings as the Wakatipu Transport Programme Alliance team identifies service locations along the proposed new arterial route due to start shortly.

These investigations will take about a week to complete.

“There are multiple programmes of work underway in the resort, from Aspiring Highways work on behalf of Waka Kotahi, alongside Queenstown Lakes District Council and other commercial operators,” Mr Stewart says.

Frankton Road/SH6A from Sunday

Next week Aspiring Highways will be upgrading a retaining wall along State Highway 6A which is close to a number of private residences.

“We need to reduce Frankton Road to one lane to complete this work, so we need to do it in the evenings when traffic volumes are low. This type of work does involve heavy machinery which can create noise and vibration. We will ensure our contractors cease physical work at 12am/ midnight and will try to keep disruption to a minimum.”

This work starts on the evening of Sunday, 20 June and is planned to be finished by approximately midnight on Thursday, June 24.

Town centre work

Stop-go and temporary traffic signals will also be in place in the town centre to support the connection of a water main as part of Queenstown Town Centre Street Upgrade Project. This work, at the intersection of Shotover and Beach Streets is expected to take two weeks.

“We know this can be stressful for those using the network but we urge patience while we upgrade the road for everyone.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding for any delays that they may encounter and thank them for following the temporary, lowered speeds which are for their safety and the safety of our workers,” Mr Stewart adds. He urged road users to check routes before travelling.

Otago real time traffic information

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

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• Twitter Otago/Southland: twitter.com/WakaKotahiOS
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/otago
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

The work will take place between 7am and 5pm daily until Wednesday 23 June, subject to weather. Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h speed limit will be in place and two-way traffic flow will be reinstated at the end of each working shift.

The rock repair work is taking place on the beach side of the highway, so Higgins contractors have consulted with the Department of Conservation about the nesting shags and kaimoana in the working area. A process has been put in place to preserve and protect the area and the sea and bird life.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists and residents for their patience while we carry out this important work.

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

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Work includes installing new subsoil drainage and will be on the northbound lane for 900 metres from the Rangiriri Bridge.

To allow this work to get underway there will be a 50km/h temporary speed limit and lane closure in place. Hours of work will be between 7am and 7pm.

Overnight, the shoulder will be closed from 7pm to 7am.

This work is expected to be completed by 5pm, Friday 9 July.

Motorists are asked to take extra care when travelling through the site by following the temporary speed limit, traffic management and signs.

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

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

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/waikato
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/waikato
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)