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 sites for the week starting Sunday 5 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 begin upgrading the car park and footpath outside the Ngapuna shops. Car parks will be available for customers of the shops open at Alert Level 3.  
• 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 temporary speed limit of 30km/h will remain in place until final surfacing is completed this month.
• 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.

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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.

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)

Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 9 September (approx. 3:00pm to 3:00am)

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• None planned

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Te Irirangi Drive northbound on-ramp, 9 September
• Papakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 5 September

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• None planned

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• None planned

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• None planned

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

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused all non-essential state highway maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 August, with only essential maintenance and work to ensure security, safety and environmental protection of sites permitted during the lockdown.

“The health and safety of our workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi and although some work is resuming, Level 3 is not a return to normal,” Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jetesh Bhula says.

“Waka Kotahi is working closely with our contractors on individual COVID-19 plans for each of our worksites. Each of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ).

“The plans include standards and guidelines for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, maintaining safe physical distancing, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and quickly and accurately tracing people should they come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before projects can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure all contractors are complying with the requirements to maintain the health and safety of workers and people travelling on the state highways.

“Getting back into on-site work will be different for each project and timings will depend on the nature and complexity of worksites. Some on-site activity will be able to resume straight away, while other sites and projects may take time to be fully operational,” Mr Bhula says.

“Infrastructure plays a vital role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important that work continues, but we won’t compromise on the health and safety of our workers and road users, which is our top priority.”

On Transmission Gully, Wellington Gateway Partnership advises Waka Kotahi that their subcontractor, CPB HEB Joint Venture, has resumed work on some activities including surface paving, material supply, drainage, barriers and planting. All work is being carried out under strict health and safety protocols that align with Government guidelines and industry standards provided by CHASNZ.

Maintenance work is also resuming across Wellington and Wairarapa since the move to Level 3.

“Resuming our critical maintenance work as we head into the drier season will help ensure we continue to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months,” Mr Bhula says.

“Maintenance activities will use similar COVID-19 plans to keep our workers and the communities we work in safe.

“We’d like to remind people driving through our worksites to please be patient and mindful of our workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do important work to keep everyone safe on our roads.”

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide more detail on individual projects over the next week.

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/wellington
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWgtn
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWgtn
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/wellington
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

WoFs and CoFs that could not be renewed under a Level 4 lockdown can be renewed at Alert Level 3, and there is no need to wait, says Waka Kotahi.

“Most inspections sites in regions under Alert Level 3 are now open, and we’re encouraging people not to delay booking in their inspections,” says Nicole Botherway, Senior Manager Safer Vehicles.

“Visit the website of your local inspection site or contact them to see if they are open and to book an appointment to ensure your vehicle meets required safety standards and you are driving legally.”

“Sites will be following strict COVID operating procedures and providing a contactless service. Vehicle owners can play their part by wearing a mask and ensuring their vehicle is clean and tidy and that all personal belongings are removed before they drop it off.

“As all vehicles are also legally required to display a current vehicle licence (rego), Waka Kotahi will allow online vehicle re-licensing without a current WoF or CoF for the time being. We would not normally allow this as all vehicles must have a current vehicle inspection to receive a rego but it is something we can do to assist Kiwis while access to inspection sites to obtain a WoF or CoF is restricted to essential workers or is not possible at Alert Level 4, and may be limited at Level 3,” Ms Botherway says.

“This temporary solution worked well last year when lockdown made it impossible for motorists to re-licence their vehicles online because they didn’t have current WoF or CoF, and we are happy to repeat it.”

Licence fees are backdated to the original expiry date, and you can renew online now.

Renew online

Driver licensing and testing facilities remain closed until level 2. Customers with tests already booked will be rescheduled to the earliest possible test once services resume.

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)

Crews will be back out on the road to finish installing traffic signals at the intersection of Pah/Greenwood and High Streets, and to begin work on the pedestrian signals on High Street north of Wallace Street at the existing zebra crossing. A right-hand turn bay into Wallace Street will also be installed. These works are expected to be completed by the end of November this year.

In accordance with Government guidance, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused the safety improvements at Alert Level 4. Work is beginning again under Alert Level 3, while adhering to strict health and safety protocols.

Working around the busy summer holiday period

COVID-19 has had an impact on the project’s timeframes, with improvements to the Tudor and High Street intersection now likely to get underway from mid-February 2022, with completion expected by April 2022.

Safety improvements to the busy King Edward St, Old Wharf Rd and High St intersection are on track to start on Monday, 13 September.

The raised roundabout will include four pedestrian zebra crossings on each approach to allow people to safely cross the road.

“The raised roundabout will improve safety for everyone using the road, encouraging safer speeds and helping ensure people walking or cycling across the intersection are more visible,” says Emma Speight, Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships.

The Principal of St Peter Chanel School, Margaret Campbell-McCauley, is looking forward to a safer intersection for their school children.

“It is a great relief for us all that the safety issues for children in crossing this end of High St are being addressed. Children are impulsive and drivers can be impatient and often distracted, which is a deadly mix. To have a safe way for children and adults to cross so they can reach their school, shops, and the recreation centre is much needed,” she says.

The roundabout is expected to be completed before Christmas, with some work on the footpaths and landscaping at the intersection expected to be finished in early 2022.

A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place during this work. High Street will remain open for much of the work, with some night works and detours in place. Further information about these works will be shared with the community closer to the time.

This work is part of the SH60 High Street safety improvements, which have received $6.8 million as part of the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

For further information or to contact someone about the works, please:

• email email hidden; JavaScript is required
• call Hamish Lewis on 027 456 7654
• visit the project information site at 175 High Street.

SH60 Motueka safety improvements project page

Further information

Construction stages

Pah/Greenwood and High Street traffic signals and High Street north of Wallace Street pedestrian signals

Work at these sites will is underway again in Alert Level 3 and expected to be completed by the end of November 2021.

The majority of the work will be happening during the day, with some night works planned from mid-September around the Wallace Street site. 

Tudor and High Street intersection – traffic signals

Covid-19 has had a small impact on the project’s timeframes, with traffic signals for the Tudor and High Street intersection now likely to get underway from mid-February 2022, with completion expected by April 2022.

King Edward Street, Old Wharf Road and High Street Roundabout

There are several stages of construction:

• Stage One Late Mid-September – 5 weeks

We will be building the eastern half of the roundabout, which means that the entry in and out of Old Wharf Road will be closed with a short detour in place up Huffam Street.

• Stage Two Mid October – 3 weeks

Stage two is working on the south western corner in front of the DOC building.

• Stage Three Early November – 3 weeks

Stage three is working on the north west corner in front of the clock tower.

• Asphalt and road marking, Late November – 4 weeks

Once the outside edges of the roundabout have been constructed, we will lay a new asphalt surface in sections. Most of this work will be completed at night to minimise disruption to people driving through.

• Footpath works, 2022 – 4 weeks

The footpath construction and landscaping around the intersection will start in December 2021 with final work completed in early 2022.

About the roundabout and its safety design

The whole King Edward Street and Old Wharf Road intersection (roundabout and zebra crossings) will be raised, with a gradual ramp onto and exiting the roundabout.

The raised roundabout encourages safer speeds and improves visibility of pedestrians and people on bikes. It is a treatment increasingly being used to improve safety through intersections and at pedestrian crossings.

The zebra crossings will be at the same level of the footpath, making it easier for people to navigate the intersection.

The zebra crossings will be set approximately six metres back from roundabout. There are three key safety reasons for this position:

• It ensures pedestrians are visible to people driving through the roundabout
• It ensures the crossing points are located where people would naturally cross the road, therefore reducing the likelihood of jaywalking, and
• It will mean vehicles will not have picked up speed while exiting the roundabout before reaching the zebra crossing.

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