Contractors will be following strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ) to ensure the safety of workers and road users. People must maintain safe physical distancing of two metres when walking/cycling near the sites.

Some delays are expected at times, and motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. There may be an increase in pedestrians and cyclists around the site, so please be careful when driving near them.

Work for Saturday 11 September:

• State Highway 30, Tarawera intersection: Contractors will be pouring the kerb in the centre median east of the Tarawera/SH30 intersection (on SH30 towards Iles Road). Between 6am and 11am, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions on SH30 between the intersection and Iles Road. This may cause moderate delays.

Work sites for the week starting Sunday 12 September:

• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge underpass: The Puarenga Bridge underpass is open with pedestrians and cyclists requested to take care as contractors continue with landscaping works through this area.
• State Highway 30, centre median and footpath east of Puarenga Bridge: Contractors continue with landscaping at the median and shared path east of the Puarenga Bridge. Lane closures in both directions will be in place during off-peak times which may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway 30, Sala Street to Vaughan Road: The footpath on the northern side remains closed for public safety as contractors complete the shared path construction and landscaping works in this area. Shoulder/lane closures may be in place during off-peak times which may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway 30, Ngapuna shops: Contractors will continue upgrading the car park and footpath outside the Ngapuna shops. Car parks will be available for customers to access the shops.
• State Highway 30, Tarawera intersection: Contractors continue to construct the concrete islands separating traffic travelling in opposite directions. Motorists are advised to adhere to the temporary speed limit, with the current surface not having enough skid resistance for higher speeds. The final layer of surface will be applied from late-September through to mid-October, weather dependent, and the temporary speed limit of 30km/h will remain in place until this work is completed.
• State Highway 30, westbound Allen Mills Road to Anytime Fitness: Installation of stormwater services continues on SH30/Te Ngae Road. There will be westbound lane shifts in place through this section, maintaining two lanes of traffic as per usual.

The right turn into Allen Mills Road for westbound traffic from SH30/Te Ngae Road remains closed. Motorists, in particular heavy haulage, are required to detour via Ōwhata and Vaughan Roads to access Allen Mills Road. Electronic signage is in place to advise of the access restrictions.

• State Highway 30, Waitawa Stream pedestrian bridge (outside Lynmore School): Contractors continue to widen the pedestrian bridge, connecting it to the shared path just west of the bridge. Westbound shoulder/lane closures may be in place during off-peak times which may cause moderate delays. Barriers will be in place to direct pedestrians and cyclists safely around site.
• State Highway 30, Allen Mills Road to Iles Road: Pedestrian access through this section is for business access and residents only as there is no through access to the Rotorua CBD. See map below for pedestrian access routes.
• State Highway 30, Tennyson Drive intersection: Contractors will start constructing the raised safety platform on Tennyson Drive to improve safety for all users. This work includes the relocation of a streetlight, kerb work and the removal of the left turn slip lane from SH30. Vehicles can still turn left at the intersection and barriers will be in place to direct pedestrians and cyclists safely around site. Shoulder closures will be in place which may cause minor delays.

Temporary speed limits of 30km/h or 50km/h are in place for everyone’s safety at the above work sites, including when workers are off-site.

Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the signalised crossings at either Sala Street or Iles Road, and the temporary pedestrian crossing at Tarawera Road.

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

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience and understanding while this important work is undertaken to improve SH30 for everyone using the road.

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

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising drivers to check their routes around the South Island/ Te Wai Pounamu today as gale force winds have brought down trees and power lines across several highways, particularly in North Canterbury.

The fires in the hills are not affecting the state highways or visibility at this stage.

Steve Rusbatch, Maintenance Contract Manager, North Canterbury for Waka Kotahi says that more strong winds are forecast for Sunday and Monday.

“Check before you head out and be aware that coming around a corner, there could be branches in places. Our crews will be doing their best to maintain a safe route so please watch out for them also.”

• Canterbury highways
• All of New Zealand
• Orion  North Canterbury power outages

One highway closed as at 10.30 am:

SH7, the Lewis Pass route, closed from Hanmer Springs turn-off – with multiple sites with trees down.

Arthur’s Pass route open with small detour before Springfield

SH 73, Arthur’s Pass route between Canterbury and the West Coast, open with a detour before Springfield.

Other highways now open – some of these routes were closed earlier today

• SH 77 near Coalgate – now open.
• SH 7A – highway into Hanmer Springs town single lane where trees down – but open.
• SH 1 north of Christchurch to Cheviot open. Please slow down if you see crews working.

“Network-wide inspections are underway as there are many trees that have not fallen but are damaged and will need attending to, also we will assess  road sign damage,” says Mr Rusbatch.

“The next high wind event is forecast for Sunday/Monday – same strength as today. So please take care with the weekend trips in windy areas and be aware crews will be busy.”

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: facebook.com/NZTASouthIsland
• Twitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTOTS
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 8pm and finish at 5am.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Oteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 15-16 September
• Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 16 September

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• None planned

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Northbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 15-16 September
• Papakura northbound (diamond) on-ramp, 15-16 September
• Papakura northbound (loop) on-ramp, 15-16 September
• Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 17 September
• Takanini southbound on-ramp, 17 September
• Pokeno northbound on-ramp, 15 September

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• Lincoln Road southbound off-ramp, 16 September (approx. 12:30am to 5:00am)
• Lincoln Road northbound off-ramp, 16 September (approx. 9:00pm to 12:30am)
• Te Atatu northbound off-ramp, 15 September (approx. 9:00pm to 1:00am)
• Western Springs southbound off-ramp, 17 September (approx. 12:00am to 5:00am)

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• None planned

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Mahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, 15 September

GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

• None planned

PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

• None planned

Please follow the signposted detours. Waka Kotahi thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Current overnight closure information

Auckland roads and public transport

High winds are expected to affect State Highway 2 across the Remutaka Hill at various times between now and tomorrow night. There is a high risk that the road will need to be closed during this period.

Heavy swells and high tides are expected around Mana, which could affect State Highway 1 (SH1). With the combination of heavy swells and onshore gales forecast between 8pm tonight and 6pm Friday, there is a risk of coastal inundation on SH1, and State Highway 58 at Paremata Harbour.

Crews will continue to monitor the situation closely and should any road closures be deemed necessary for people’s safety, updates will be posted on the Waka Kotahi Facebook, Twitter and Journey Planner webpages (links below).

Motorists are advised to check for these updates and the MetService forecast before heading out. Even if the roads are open, the weather is expected to make driving challenging between now and tomorrow night so people are urged to take extra care.

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

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