The summer renewals programme is making good progress across the region, despite a few rain delays, according to Roger Brady, Acting Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The work will continue to gain momentum until the Christmas/New Year break, with a focus on reducing disruption by coordinating efforts across the regions.
Emergency works are still ongoing in the region. For example, repair work is set to begin next week on State Highway 5 Waimangu, south of Rotorua, where a landslide occurred in September. The repair involves backfilling with recycled material, installing a geotextile layer, and a rock-armoured face to stabilize the bank. The work is expected to be completed by mid-December, weather permitting.
The Waka Kotahi Journey Planner is the best tool for travelers to get real-time updates on the road network.
In the Bay of Plenty region, several construction projects are underway. These include earthworks on Takitimu North Link Stage One, construction work on Cambridge Road, slip repair work at Cambridge Road East, replacement of the concrete barrier on SH2 Bethlehem, and construction of two pedestrian maze crossings at the railway crossing on Hewletts Road/Maunganui Road.
In the Western Bay of Plenty, lane shifts and speed reductions are in place at two intersections on SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa for testing activity and roundabout construction. Construction also continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, and the Tauranga City Council cycleway construction is due to be completed in early December 2023.
In Rotorua, road resurfacing is taking place on SH30A Amohau Street and road rebuilding is ongoing on SH33 Paengaroa. Safety improvements are underway on SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa, and work will start next week to repair a slip on SH5 Waimangu.
In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, road rebuilding continues on SH2 Waimana Gorge, and safety improvements are ongoing on SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki. A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles remains in place on SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge until further notice.
