One lane of the bridge will be closing under stop/go traffic management for the rescanning of a small section of the bridge from 9 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, 13 February.

This work is part of the upcoming Ōtaki Bridge shared path clip-on project.

While motorists will be able to travel in both directions, there will be some delays. Drivers should plan ahead and allow extra time for their travel.

Drivers must also follow all traffic management controls and directions from roadworkers. This is to keep everyone safe – drivers and construction crews.  

The road will remain closed while the Police Serious Crash Unit is on scene.

A detour is in place via SH7 and Waikari Valley/Scargill Valley Road.

Motorists are advised to expect delays.

“Our maintenance team noticed a small hole yesterday (9 Feb) in the left hand lane heading from Barkes Corner to Oropi Roundabout and immediately closed one lane. On investigation a large tomo or cavity was discovered under the road,” says Acting Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady.

“The hole is approximately 3 metres deep and filled with water. The erosion appears to have been caused over time by a failed stormwater drain.

“As soon as we saw the size of the tomo we fully closed the road due to the potential safety risk to road users.

“SH29A is likely to remain closed here until Monday evening at the earliest, but until investigations reveal the extent of the repair, the timeframe for re-opening is really unknown at this stage.

“Once we have more information about the size of this job, we’ll update the public.”

Road users should allow extra time for the detour.

The detour for southbound traffic is left onto Cameron Road, right onto Maleme Street, right onto Oropi Road, left onto SH29A. Northbound traffic turn right onto Oropi Road, left onto Maleme Street, left onto Cameron Road and right onto SH29A.

Keep an eye on journeys.nzta.govt.nz for up to date information about road works and closures.

Both are major routes in and out of Mount Maunganui.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) suggests road users avoid travelling tomorrow, work from home or use alternative transport if they can.  

The closure of State Highway 29A between Barkes Corner and Oropi Road Roundabout follows the discovery of a large tomo or cavity under the road on Friday evening.

NZTA contractors are doing all they can to fix the road, including working through the night tonight, but the timeframe for re-opening is still unknown.

NZTA has pulled planned chipsealing of State Highway 2 tonight and tomorrow night to ease traffic pressure coming into the city, and is diverting resources to State Highway 36 works.

Hewletts Road eastbound bus lane will be open for all vehicles (going toward Maunganui Road) to try and help the situation.

The work on Totara Street is expected to be complete by 6am Wednesday 14 February, with TCC contractors working around the clock to finish as quickly as possible.

While detours for both roads are available, heavy delays are inevitable and fewer vehicles on the network tomorrow will make a big difference to those who have to travel.

NZTA thanks road users for their co-operation and patience. Next update tomorrow afternoon.

From Monday (12 February 2024), SH3 between the intersections of Union Line and Williamsons Line will be reduced to one lane under Stop/Go traffic management from 7am-6pm Monday to Friday.

Overnight and on weekends the road will be open to two lanes of traffic.

The work to widen this section of road is needed to make room for the installation of flexible median barrier as part of the Whanganui to Bulls safety improvements.

The one lane is expected to be in place until 1 March.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is reminding road users to plan your journey, and expect delays of up to 5 minutes.

Following this work, further road widening will take place along other sections of the road. It is expected that both lanes of the road will remain open during this work. We will provide an update prior to this work taking place.