From 7pm Tuesday 16 November until 5am Wednesday 17 November, contractors will be working in the southbound lanes between the State Highway 29/State Highway 29A roundabout and the SH36/Taurikura Drive/Lakes Boulevard roundabout. There will be lane closures for southbound traffic, with one lane remaining open at all times and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h in place.

Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 30 minutes and to allow additional time for travel in this area.

Tuesday night will also see work between the SH36/Pyes Pa Road roundabout and Keenan Road from 7pm to 5am (Wednesday morning). Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place.

On Thursday 18 November, contractors will be working on SH36 between Keenan Road and Joyce Road. Stop/Go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place between 7pm and 5am Friday 19 November for a length of about 1.1km.

Motorists should follow the relevant temporary speed limits to ensure the safety of other road users, road workers and themselves, and to avoid damaging their vehicles.

For 24 to 48 hours after a site is sealed, and before final sweeping of loose chip, it continues to operate under a reduced temporary speed limit while vehicles travel over the seal and help “bed in” the chip. This helps reduce the risk of windscreen damage. After 48 hours the Sites are given a final sweep, excess chip removed, the temporary speed limits are removed and line marking is reinstated (work is weather dependent).

People are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for the latest information on roadworks, traffic, delays, road closures and detours before they head off.

Journey Planner website

These works are part of the Waka Kotahi spring/summer road maintenance programme, which will see repairs and reseals on state highways across the Bay of Plenty to ensure the safety and resilience of the state highway network.

Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their patience while we carry out these important works to keep our highways safe.

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)

Bay of Plenty System Manager Roger Brady says this flushing is due to bitumen expanding in hot weather and rising to the surface.

“Flushing mostly occurs at the start of the summer season as warmer weather draws moisture from the road and, in extreme cases, lifts the surface of the road in chunks.

“Our contractors are doing what they can to fix this issue promptly when it occurs, and we encourage motorists to phone in any sites where flushing seems particularly noticeable.

“Contractors can then lay a fine layer of chip to mitigate the impacts.”

People can report bitumen flushing to Waka Kotahi using the 0800 4 HIGHWAYS phone number.

This is what you can expect to see on your journey between Waihī and Tauranga this week:

Ongoing works

• Old Tauranga Road to Athenree Gorge – installation of safety barriers. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.
• Athenree Road to Tanners Point Road – road widening works continue throughout the week. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.
• Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road – final power and watermain relocations are underway, with expected completion at the end of November. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes. 
• Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection – preparation works for a roundabout are ongoing. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.
• Sharp Road to Sargent Drive – road widening, earthworks, drainage and service relocation works between Lund Road and Wright Road continues. Expect minor delays of one to two minutes.

Major works (weather dependent)

• Monday 15 November – Te Puna Road to Snodgrass Road. These are night works, scheduled between 7pm-5am. Stop/Go traffic management will be in place with a 30km/hr temporary speed limit. Expect delays of 45 minutes for 36 to 48 hours following the work.
• Wednesday 17 November – Te Puna Road to Loop Road. These are night works, scheduled between 7pm-5am. Stop/Go traffic management will be in place with a 30km/hr temporary speed limit. Expect delays of 45 minutes for 36 to 48 hours following the work.
• Monday 15 November to mid-December – Thompsons Track Road area. These are day works scheduled between 7am-6pm to reconstruct the full width of the road. Stop/Go traffic management in place outside of peak times. Expect delays of up to five minutes.

We advise to keep an eye on our Waikato/BOP Facebook page for confirmed dates for this work and check the Journey Planner website before you travel. 

• Waikato/BOP Facebook page
• Journey Planner website

Motorists should follow the relevant temporary speed limits to ensure the safety of other road users, road workers and themselves, and to avoid damaging their vehicles.

For at least 24 hours after a site is sealed, and before being swept, it continues to operate under a reduced temporary speed limit while vehicles travel over the seal and help “bed in” the chip. This helps reduce the risk of windscreen damage. Sites are then swept, excess chip removed, and the temporary speed limit remains in place until line marking is reinstated (within 48 hours, weather dependent).

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 8pm and finish at 5am.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Orewa northbound on-ramp, 15 & 18 November
• Orewa northbound off-ramp, 15 & 18 November
• Northbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 15 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 15 November
• Upper Harbour Highway southbound off-ramp, 14-18 November
• Upper Harbour Highway southbound on-ramp, 14-18 November
• Northbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 14 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northcote Road northbound on-ramp, 14 November
• Northbound lanes between Esmonde Road off-ramp and Northcote Road on-ramp, 17-18 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Esmonde Road (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 17-18 November
• Esmonde Road (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 17-18 November
• Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 15-17 November
• Curran Street northbound on-ramp, 14-18 November

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• Stanley Street westbound off-ramp, 17-18 November

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway on-ramp, 17 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 17 November
• Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 17 November
• East Tamaki Road southbound off-ramp, 14 November
• Takanini southbound off-ramp, 17-18 November
• Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 14 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Takanini southbound on-ramp, 14 November
• Papakura southbound on-ramp, 14-15 November
• Southbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 15 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 14-18 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 14-18 November
• Bombay southbound on-ramp, 16 November
• Beaver Road southbound off-ramp, 16 November
• Beaver Road southbound on-ramp, 16 November
• Nikau Road southbound off-ramp, 16 November

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• None planned

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• Trig Road eastbound on-ramp, 18 November

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Neilson Street southbound off-ramp, 18 November
• Northbound lanes between Cavendish Drive off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 14 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Puhinui Road northbound on-ramp, 14 November
• Cavendish Drive northbound on-ramp, 14 November
• Southbound lanes between Puhinui Road off-ramp and SH1 links, 15 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• Puhinui Road southbound on-ramp, 15 November
• Southbound service road between Puhinui Road and Cavendish Drive, 15 November
• Cavendish Drive southbound on-ramp, 15 November
• Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 15 November
• SH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 15 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)
• SH20 southbound to SH1 southbound link, 15 November (approx. 9:00pm to 5:00am)

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

Under the PPP contract, it is the responsibility of the contractor, Wellington Gateway Partnership (WGP) and their sub-contractor, CPB HEB, to deliver a road that meets the safety, quality and environmental standards agreed in the project agreement, and expected by the public.

These tests are important, not just to meet the contractual requirements, but so that there are no major issues that need to be repaired or redone after it’s opened, which could lead to frustrating closures for motorists.

There are 100 safety and quality assurance tests that the contract stipulates must be met before the road can open. There are also 45 consent tasks that WGP and the builder need to complete in order to meet the contractual requirements for road opening.

As at 10 November 2021:

• 38 final test submissions have been received from the builder, of which 26 have been accepted by the Independent Reviewer as meeting the required specifications
• 42 partial submissions have been made and 20 tests are yet to be submitted
• Seven of the consent tasks have been completed
• Of the 38 remaining consent tasks, 36 are underway and have been progressed to varying degrees, and two are not yet started.

Next week, the team doing the road safety audit will be driving through for another pre-opening inspection. This will advise WGP and the builder of any safety issues that need to be addressed before the final road safety inspection just before the road opens.

CPB HEB has rescheduled the postponed northbound paving work at Linden to next weekend.

A date for the postponed paving for the southbound connection is still to be confirmed.

A reminder – while the road may start to look finished, the safety, compliance and assurance tests still need to be completed for the road to open safely to traffic.

Once those standards are met, the PPP contract will move into the service phase – the 25-year maintenance and operations period, after which it will be handed over to Waka Kotahi at an agreed standard.

The latest flythrough video released last week:

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)

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 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 14 November:

• State Highway 30, Sala Street to Vaughan Road: The footpath on the northern side remains closed as contractors construct the fence and complete landscaping works in this area. Access to businesses will be maintained at all times. Shoulder closures may be in place during off-peak times.
• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge underpass: The Puarenga Bridge underpass is open with pedestrians and cyclists advised to take care as contractors continue with landscaping works through this area.
• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge shared footpath: Contractors continue to connect the shared footpaths on either side of Puarenga Bridge. This work will require shoulder closures in both directions and is not expected to cause delays.
• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge: Contractors will be installing guardrails on both sides of the Puarenga Bridge. This work will require shoulder closures in both directions and is not expected to cause delays.
  Contractors will be pouring concrete for the footpath on the northern side of the bridge later this week. This will require an eastbound off-peak lane closure which may cause moderate delays. The northern side of the bridge remains closed to pedestrians with a detour in place.
• State Highway 30, east of Puarenga Bridge to Tarawera Road: Contractors continue with landscaping on the southern side berms of SH30/Te Ngae Road between Tarawera Road intersection and Puarenga Bridge. Lane closures in both directions will be in place during off-peak times which may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway 30, Tarawera intersection: Landscaping and concrete works in the centre median east of the Tarawera Road intersection continue. This work will require westbound (heading towards town) lane closures which may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway30, Marino Road: Contractors continue work on the footpath and seating area at the corner of Marino Road. This work will require eastbound off-peak lane closures which may cause minor delays.
• Tarawera Road: Contractors will continue to install the new watermain between the Redwoods Centre entrance and Awatea Terrace. A shoulder closure will be in place with a temporary reduced speed limit of 30km/h. This is not expected to cause any delays.
• State Highway 30, Allen Mills Road to Anytime Fitness: Concrete works in the centre median and footpath works will continue in this area. This work will require east and westbound lane closures during off-peak times which may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway 30, Allen Mills Road to Iles Road: Contractors continue work on the guardrail and rain garden on the northern side of SH30/Te Ngae Road. This work requires eastbound lane closures during off-peak hours, which may cause moderate delays. Contractors continue with landscaping and concrete works in the centre median, which requires both eastbound and westbound right-hand lane closures and may cause moderate delays. The installation of street lights on the southern side of SH30/Te Ngae Road continues, this work will be done under westbound lanes closures and may cause moderate delays.
• State Highway 30, Brent Road, Tumene Drive and Tennyson Drive intersections: Works continue on the three raised safety platforms to improve safety for all users. Lane closures and detours may be in place on Tennyson Drive with stop/go traffic management which may cause significant 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 Sala Street, Iles Road, and Tarawera Road.

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

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