Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says people can expect the intersection to look very different.

“This is a critical milestone for the project, and the upgrade will make the intersection safer, easier to use and more efficient at peak travel times,” says Ms Wilton.  

“The aim is to have the new intersection in place early in the week and during the school holidays when traffic flows are more consistent throughout the day.”

Overnight there will be a staged process with the temporary roundabout removed, temporary line marking installed, before the traffic lights are turned on. Work has been scheduled to take place overnight to reduce impact on traffic.

“It’s important people take extra care when travelling through the intersection as they adjust to the new layout,” says Ms Wilton.

The temporary roundabout is currently scheduled to be removed overnight on Monday 19 July, with the lights expected to be operational from 6am on Tuesday 20 July. This may be delayed in the event of unsuitable weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

“There are a few things that need to align for the lights to become operational. The weather needs to allow for the new line marking to be applied at the same time the lights will be switched on. If it is too wet or too cold, the switch will be postponed to the next possible day.”

While the traffic lights will be operational, the community is being advised to expect the intersection to be an active worksite for the next few weeks as final works are completed.

“Contractors will continue working at the intersection for about three weeks as they construct the concrete islands separating traffic travelling in opposite directions,” says Ms Wilton.

There will be occasional lane closures, additional signage, and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.

Waka Kotahi asks motorists to be patient as we complete these final steps.

Some delays are anticipated as people adjust to the new layout. The intersection will be monitored carefully and adjustments made to the traffic light phasing, as required.

While the intersection will be functional from the second week of the school holidays, the final layer of surfacing will be applied in September when temperatures are warmer to ensure a strong bond between the two layers of surfacing.

The signalising of Tarawera intersection is part of the $17 million Eastern Corridor Stage One project, improving SH30/Te Ngae Road from Sala Street to Iles Road. The project started in February 2020, with completion expected in late 2021.

For more information visit:
Eastern Corridor – Stage One

State Highway 30/Tarawera Road with new signalised intersection

All northbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road and Silverdale will be closed between 9:00pm and 5:00am on:

• Sunday 18 to Wednesday 21 July
• Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 August
• Monday 9 to Thursday 12 August 

Please note this work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled. Contingency dates are Thursday 22 July and Sunday 5 to Tuesday 7 September 

A signposted detour along Dairy Flat Highway will be in place. (See map below) The BP Service Station at Dairy Flat and other shops on SH1 will be closed.

“Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and allow more time for their journeys on these nights. The night time closures are scheduled for when there is less traffic and to minimise disruption,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Auckland System Manager Andrea Williamson.

“Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their cooperation and understanding while we carry out this work.”

The closures are required to carry out a range of maintenance tasks, including resurfacing the road.

“This work is an important part of the maintenance programme to ensure the motorway is kept in a good and safe condition for all road users.”

Northern Motorway detour along Dairy Flat Highway 

For updates and information about this work, or any other motorway issues:

• call 0800 444 449 or
• email email hidden; JavaScript is required

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

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook Auckland: facebook.com/nztaakl
• Facebook Northland: facebook.com/nztanorthland
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiAkNth
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

UPDATE 4.05PM: The road is now open. Please be patient and take care. Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

Waikato System Manager Cara Lauder says detours for this route are significant and encourages people to delay their travel, where possible.

“The southbound detour takes motorists south on SH2 from Waihi to Tauranga, then onto State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range, State Highway 24 to Matamata, State Highway 27 to Tatuanui and State Highway 26 to Paeroa. Motorists travelling from Paeroa take the same route, in the opposite direction.

“Northbound, motorists travelling from Waihi should take State Highway 25, turning onto State Highway 25A (Kopu-Hikuai Road) and then State Highway 26 between Kopu and Paeroa, with motorists travelling from Paeroa taking the same route, in reverse.”

Ms Lauder encouraged people to visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for the latest information on the road closure and detours, before setting off.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.