A number of road works projects in the Bay of Plenty are progressing, despite Waka Kotahi Transport Agency managing positive Covid-19 cases and a poor weather forecast for late-March.

The agency and its contractors are completing an ambitious programme to improve safety and resilience of the network, however like many other workplaces, contractors are experiencing Covid-19 cases amongst their workforces, which may cause plans to change at short notice, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.

'Waka Kotahi takes seriously our responsibilities for the safety of our staff, contractors and members of the public.

'All worksites have comprehensive Covid-19 protocols and work plans in place for the various Covid-19 traffic light settings and Omicron phases, which are strictly adhered to.

'Our contractors have also undertaken extensive planning to make sure essential maintenance can continue on Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highways so they remain safe.

'However, there may be some disruption to other planned works, especially with rain forecast for next week, which may present an additional challenge for our contractors, especially for sealing crews.

'We thank people for their patience as we support our contractors to manage the health and safety of their workforces while continuing to ensure the state highway network remains safe for all those who use it.”

Check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) before you travel for up-to-date information.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: Enabling works continue on Wairoa Road and Minden Road, with service relocations and tree felling taking place until mid-March. When tree felling is taking place on Minden Road stop/stop traffic management will be in place, with minor delays expected. More information.

SH2 Hewletts Road: As part of the Totara Street cycleway project, night works will take place from late April through to June 2022, from 8pm to 5am each night between Tasman Quay and Totara Street. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane through the intersection. Minimal delays are expected. More information.

SH2 Bay Link: A small section of Girven Road (between Gloucester Road intersection and the Bayfair roundabout) has been reduced to one lane in each direction, to allow construction of the permanent road along the two central lanes of Girven Road. Asphalting works in the middle of Girven Road are currently scheduled to take place from Monday 21 March to Thursday 24 March (from approximately 7pm until 7am). Two lanes in each direction are expected to be restored overnight on Thursday 24 March. Minor delays are expected. More information.

SH29 Tauriko West: Investigation works to provide the information needed for next steps of the Tauriko West enabling works will be carried out from Monday 21 March through to the end of April 2022. Works will mostly take place overnight between 7pm and 6am, with generally one active work site at any time. It is expected that most works will be completed over one to two nights at each location. This will include topographical surveys, locating buried services, and geotechnical investigations to determine the ground conditions. The investigations will generate some noise due to the machinery and equipment used, and will involve the use of temporary lighting. Traffic management will include shoulder and lane closures. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at four active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lund Road to Sargent Drive and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected.

Tetley Road is temporarily closed between SH2 and Rereatukahia Pā Road for approximately two months. Detour routes are available, and only add a couple of minutes to the overall travel time. Please follow detour signage. More information.

Rotorua

SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā: Remaining road widening, further barrier installation, and landscaping are underway. These works are expected to be complete in March 2022. More information.

SH30A Amohau Road: Chipsealing continues on Sunday 20 March, with southbound (towards Rotorua Airport) closures from 7pm to 6am, for three nights. Detours will be in place, and minor delays are expected.

During the day there will be a 30km speed limit through this area, while the new seal beds in. More information.

SH30 Te Ngae Road, Basley Road to Ōwhata Road: Service location for SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two is underway. Traffic management will be in place. More information.

SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues on the section north of Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curve passing lane. This includes widening the shoulders, installing a wide centreline and installing roadside safety barriers. More information.