Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Over the past few weeks Eastern Bay of Plenty highways have been a hive of activity with crews busy resurfacing State Highway 2 (SH2) in the Waioweka Gorge (and carrying out other general maintenance work) which is due to be completed on Wednesday 26 February.
There is more work to come around the region, ensuring the network is resilient and safe for everyone.
Here’s a look at what’s happening:
SH35 Roundabout Ōpōtiki
Once the Waioweka Gorge work is complete, crews will move to the Ōpōtiki township to resurface the roundabout on State Highway 35 (SH35). From Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 February, between 8am and 4pm each day, the road will be closed at the St John and Elliot Street roundabout, with a detour available for all vehicles via King Street and Goring Street. There will be temporary traffic management in place while the work is taking place.
SH2 Matatā
From Friday 28 February for 4 days, a new chipseal surface will be laid on SH2 between Western Close and Manawahē Road in Matatā. This work will take place during the day, between 9am and 4pm, with stop/go traffic management and a reduced speed limit in place. Traffic management will remain until after the work has been completed to allow for the chipseal to be embedded into the road surface.
SH2 Waimana Gorge
From Monday 3 to Friday 7 March the Waimana Gorge will be closed from 10am to 6pm each day. Crews will be laying a new asphalt road surface and completing maintenance activities. Outside of work hours there will be temporary traffic management in place with a reduced speed limited until the new surface has been line marked.
While the road is closed there’s a 12-minute detour for light vehicles and trucks below the HPMV status, via Tāneatua Road, Valley Road, right to Ōhope Road to Pōhutukawa Ave through to Wainui Road then left to SH2. There is no suitable detour for HPMV vehicles. HPMV’s are advised to travel outside of these times.
By closing the Waimana Gorge completely for this time contractors can complete the work more efficiently and safely.
At the SH2 and Wainui road intersection service relocation works are underway near Kutarere west of Ōpōtiki. Shoulder closures will be in place and road users should be aware there may be 3-way stop/go traffic management operating at the intersection during this time.
Work schedule
- SH2 Waioweka Gorge, resurfacing and general maintenance – complete 26 February
- SH35 roundabout Ōpōtiki, resurfacing – 26 to 28 February
- SH2 Matatā, chipsealing – 28 February to 3 March
- SH2 Waimana Gorge, resurfacing – 3 to 7 March