Ahead of the new Te Maunga interchange opening to road users in Autumn 2022, State Highway 2 (between Bayfair roundabout and Te Maunga intersection) is scheduled to close this weekend.

The stretch of highway is is scheduled to be closed from 1am Saturday, January 15, until 5.30am on Monday, January 17.

"Concrete barriers and service ducting need to be installed on the SH2 bridge, which forms part of the Te Maunga interchange," says a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency spokepserson.

"Due to the installation taking place above SH2, the closure is necessary to keep road users safe."

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency acknowledges this closure will impact travel times for locals and holidaymakers over the busy summer holiday break.

"Throughout January, significant road works will be underway on several of Tauranga's key roads. Road users are encouraged to travel outside of this closure, use alternative routes and allow extra time for travel.

"As part of the closure between Bayfair roundabout and Te Maunga intersection, a signposted detour will be available via Girven Road, Maranui Street, Sandhurst Drive and the Sandhurst Drive/Mangatawa Interchange.

"This is the same detour route that was used during a closure of the same section of road in July 2021, when bridge beams were installed. Visit nzta.govt.nz/temaunga for full detour information and a map of the detour."

The following detours will be in place during the closure:

• SH2 towards Papamoa (Tauranga Eastern Link, eastbound): detour via Girven Road, Maranui Street, Sandhurst Drive and the Sandhurst/Mangatawa interchange
• SH2 towards Mount Maunganui and Tauranga (Taurange Eastern Link, northbound): detour via the Sandhurst/Mangatawa interchange, Sandhurst Drive, Maranui Street and Girven Road

Motorists travelling between Papamoa and Maungatapu in either direction along Tauranga Eastern Link and State Highway 29A can still use the signalised intersection at Te Maunga.

• SH2 towards SH29A/Maungatapu: detour via Girven Road, Maranui Street, Sandhurst Drive, the Sandhurst/Mangatawa interchange and Truman Lane.
• SH29A towards Mount Maunganui/SH2 northbound: after turning right at the Te Maunga intersection, detour via the Sandhurst/Mangatawa interchange, Sandhurst Drive, Maranui Street and Girven Road.

"There will be no left turn from Exeter Street onto SH2, no right turn from Maranui Street onto Girven Road and no right turn from the Sandhurst/Mangatawa interchange onto Tauranga Eastern Link towards Mount Maunganui/Tauranga," says a spokesperson for the roading agency.

"Traffic management will be stationed at the Sandhurst Drive/Maranui Street roundabout throughout the closure and will direct traffic to improve flow along the detour route, as required.

"Residents on SH2/Maunganui Road between Girven Road and Exeter Street will be able to access their properties via Eversham Road, Exeter Street and the southbound lanes of SH2. Information about access arrangements will be provided directly to these residents."

Alongside this closure, significant works are also taking place on Takitimu Drive (under the Waihī Road overbridge near Judea off-ramp) and on Cameron Road throughout January.

"If the closure on SH2 is impacted by weather or other unforeseen issues it will be carried out on the next available weekend.

"Waka Kotahi thanks road users, local residents and businesses for their patience while we undertake this critical work."

Detour routes for SH2 closure from 1.00am on Saturday 15 January 2022 until 5.30am on Monday 17 January 2022.