Category: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Road users will be enjoying 2 new Tauriko West intersections by May, as part of the State Highway 29 (SH29) Tauriko Enabling Works project. 

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises that a new intersection in Tauriko Village, near where the former service station was, will open with a temporary layout on Tuesday 29 April, providing access to a safer, new carpark for Tauriko School and Playcentre.  

Motorists will be travelling through a new roundabout at the intersection of SH29 and Redwood Lane from Thursday 1 May, also under temporary layout. 

Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Darryl Coalter, says the opening of these intersections is a step towards a better connected Tauriko West. 

“March marked 1 year of construction on this project, and we’re thrilled with the progress that’s being made. These 2 intersections are integral pieces of the puzzle and will result in safer and more efficient ways to move around Tauriko once completed. 

“They will open in temporary states to enable new work areas and allow the team to continue their hard work on the surrounding infrastructure, while facilitating traffic to continue flowing. 

“We’re also pleased to be handing over a new, safer carpark for the school and Playcentre community.” 

The new road off SH29 in Tauriko Village will also link to the planned community in Tauriko West, being developed to help accommodate Tauranga’s growing population. 

Tauranga City Tauriko Ward Councillor Marten Rozeboom says the project is reaching a special milestone with the 2 new intersections.  

“Regular users of SH29 have seen significant changes take place over the past 12 months, and they’ll soon be able to use the new layout and experience how much easier it makes travelling this route.” 

The Tauriko Village intersection will eventually feature additional lanes and be signalised with traffic lights. although it will initially open without lights while the team works on the surrounding infrastructure. This includes constructing retaining and noise walls; stormwater, wastewater, and power upgrades; and widening SH29 to allow for additional lanes and a shared path through Tauriko Village. 

The intersection will remain in a temporary configuration until early 2026, with further layout changes to come while work is undertaken on the southern side of SH29. More information will be communicated closer to the time.  

At Redwood Lane, traffic will be switched across to the new, temporary single-lane layout, which will see motorists on SH29 shifted slightly to the west of the current state highway lanes to approach the new roundabout. 

Once completed, the roundabout will have 2 lanes travelling in each direction. When it first opens it will have 1 lane in each direction while work continues on widening SH29 on the eastern side, along with extending the pedestrian and cycle underpass beneath the road and completing the Kaweroa Drive extension of the roundabout. 

The Kaweroa Drive extension, accessed via the fourth leg directly opposite Redwood Lane, won’t be in use until the roundabout works are completed. This is expected be in late 2025/early 2026.  

Road users and the local community should prepare for:  

Tauriko Village 

Overnight on Wednesday April 23 and again on Monday 28 April (between 6pm and 6am) there will be a stop/go and temporary speed limit of 30km/h to relocate the safety barriers on SH29 through Tauriko Village in preparation for a new intersection opening on Tuesday 29 April.

From Tuesday 29 April there will be a stop/go operation and temporary speed limit of 30km/h for night works to install safety barriers along the northern side of SH29 in the Tauriko Village. This work is expected to take 5 nights and continue into the following week.  

As part of this work, traffic lanes will be shifted to the southern side of SH29 to allow for the upcoming widening work on the northern side of SH29. Traffic lanes will be maintained in both directions, along with the flush median down the centre of the road and access to businesses and residential properties will remain. However, there will be a reduction in the width of the shoulder along each side of the road, meaning reduced space available for entering and exiting driveways and heading south on SH29.

The work on the northern side of SH29 is expected to take 1 year.  

Tauriko Village temporary intersection map [PDF, 188 KB]

Redwood Lane 

Night works (between 6pm and 6am) will be carried out ahead of switching traffic onto the roundabout, starting with safety barrier relocation on Tuesday 22 April, followed by resurfacing works from Sunday 27 April for 5 nights. Overnight on Wednesday 30 April, the team will be line marking and preparing the new road, with the new roundabout expected to be in use on the morning of Thursday 1 May. These works will involve stop/go, shoulder closures, rolling blocks, and a temporary 30km/h speed limit on SH29. 

People are asked to drive with extra care through the area, while people adjust to the new traffic conditions, allow extra time for their journeys and follow any signage or instructions provided by road workers. 

These night works are weather dependent. If work is delayed because of weather or other unforeseen issues, it will be carried out on the next suitable night. 

Elsewhere on the project, construction of the major retaining wall on Cambridge Road is well underway in preparation for the new signalised intersection with SH29. This includes a new connection to Whiore Avenue for people walking and cycling and bus access, only. 

Work is also underway on the wastewater upgrades in Whiore Avenue and watermains upgrade on SH29, near Gargan Road, starting with investigative works to establish the location of existing underground services.  

The SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works are being delivered by NZTA together with Tauranga City Council. Downer is delivering the construction for the project.  

Redwood Lane temporary intersection map [PDF, 176 KB]

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is welcoming a fine of $63,000 imposed during sentencing in Manukau District Court today in relation to an incident on 17 June 2023 in which the KiwiRail-operated Hamilton to Auckland Te Huia commuter service failed to obey a red signal in the busy Auckland Metro Rail Network.

NZTA prosecuted KiwiRail as the operator/licence holder of the Te Huia Service following an investigation into the incident, where the Te Huia, carrying over 90 passengers, passed a red signal at Penrose train station, and in doing so potentially put its passengers and other rail users at risk, and caused significant disruption on the Auckland metro network.

KiwiRail pleaded guilty to one charge alleging that it did not provide appropriate training of its personnel.

“As the regulator for rail safety in New Zealand, NZTA’s prosecution was taken to address a specific, identified risk in order to protect public safety. NZTA will not hesitate to take action, including prosecution, in relation to breaches of the Railways Act 2005. We welcome the sentence handed down today as a reminder to all licensed rail operators of the importance of ensuring appropriate training for their staff as a critical part of managing safety risks on the network,” says Gini Welch, NZTA National Manager, Rail Safety Regulation.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)’s plan to make the Dunedin SH1 one-way system easier to use, safer for everyone and more efficient takes its next step from today (Tuesday, 15 April). People’s feedback is welcome from Tuesday to Friday, 23 May.

Running between The Oval and the Pine Hill Road/Great King St intersection, SH1 on Cumberland and Castle Streets, is a key freight and commuter route linking the north and south sides of the city.

“In particular, NZTA wants to know what Dunedin people think of the preferred option for making the Pine Hill Road/SH1 and Great King St intersection safer and more functional for everyone,” says Ian Duncan, Acting Director of Regional Relationships for NZTA in Otago. 

The intersection is a key part of the SH1 one-way system into and through Dunedin, close to the Botanic Gardens and the entrance to North East Valley.

NZTA is now keen to hear what people think of its preferred option for this intersection, with several other proposed safety improvements to the SH1 one-way system, to help guide the next steps for this option.

“The SH1 proposed improvements are part of a business case which identifies ways to improve accessibility, supports new developments like the new Dunedin Hospital, while maintaining efficient traffic flow, and reduces risk for road users and pedestrians,” says Mr Duncan. 

He notes the long-standing safety concerns with increased risk of crashes because of limited visibility and heavy vehicles descending a steep hill at the SH1/ Pine Hill Road/Great King Street intersection.

“Our preferred option is to realign the SH1 traffic lane,” he says. “This would improve visibility and safety at the intersection and make it safer and more efficient for people heading to North East Valley.”

This would involve shifting the existing uphill traffic lane about ten metres into an area of Town Belt, requiring about 1000m² of this land.  (See map below). The existing bridge over the Water of Leith would be widened. NZTA will work with the Dunedin City Council on ways to compensate for the loss of public land.

What were the other options for that intersection?

Several options for making the SH1/Pine Hill/Great King St intersection safer were investigated and discussed with key stakeholders including the Dunedin City Council and road freight operators.

These included traffic signals and an overpass to separate SH1 traffic from vehicles using Great King Street. The overpass option was not progressed for several reasons: the cost, construction challenges, proximity to the Water of the Leith and environmental impacts, says Mr Duncan. The traffic signal option was not taken further given the significant safety concerns if a heavy vehicle lost traction or could not stop on the hill.

“NZTA’s preferred option would also increase the safety of the nearby Duke Street/SH1 Cumberland Street intersection. There were nine crashes there between 2019 and 2023, two-thirds of them caused by drivers trying to cross two busy lanes of the highway to Duke Street’s western side. To make this intersection safer, we are proposing to remove the straight-through movement, and only allow left turns out of Duke Street on the eastern side to SH1 going south. We want to hear what people think of this idea also.”

Full details on all the proposed improvements for this SH1 Dunedin corridor are available on the project website along with details on how to provide feedback:

SH1 Dunedin safety improvements

More information about NZTA’s proposed improvement plans for SH1 and SH88 St Andrew Street to support transport access to the new Dunedin Hospital, will be available in the second half of 2025. 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

There are brighter days ahead for Tairua with progress on a new 2-lane bridge on State Highway 25 (SH25), which will cull queues of holiday traffic at the single-lane Pepe Stream Bridge. 

The replacement bridge project is now in the procurement phase ahead of construction starting late next year says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). 

“The business case developed by NZTA in 2022 along with engagement with iwi and stakeholders has determined that the preferred option is a 2-lane bridge with an attached shared walking and cycling path to replace the single-lane bridge and a separate pedestrian bridge,” says Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter. 

Later this month a community information session will be held at Tairua to update the community and SH25 users on what’s ahead. 

“With funding confirmed, there is a lot of work ahead to get the bridge designed and consented, but the countdown is on for construction to start by late 2026. All going well NZTA’s target is to have traffic on the new bridge by Christmas 2027. 

“While NZTA engaged with the community as part of the Business Case development, we are keen to hear what’s important to people who live, work or holiday in the area,” Mr Coalter says. 

The project team will be at the Tairua Community Hall on Wednesday 30 April, and people can call in any time between 3pm and 6pm. 

NZTA will be seeking a design and build contract and expects to have a contractor in place later this year. Construction methodology is critical because SH25 needs to remain open during the build. 

The current bridge crosses a tidal stream on SH25 south of the Tairua town centre.

The project is part of a wider bridge programme to improve safety, efficiency and resilience on the state highway around the peninsula. 

Work will begin later this year at the Boundary Creek Bridge on the Thames Coast north of Te Mata.  Design of a new 2-lane bridge to replace the single lane bridge Ramarama Stream Bridge on SH25, just north of Whiritoa, is also underway.   

 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

As work progresses on a hi-tech weigh station at Taupō, traffic will continue to be managed through works on the surrounding state highways and local roads.

Five sites leading to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre are having in-road weighing technology installed and these will be coned off for 30 days from late April/early May to cure the asphalt before the technology is installed advises NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)

“So while it may look like nothing is happening beyond the cones, it is essential to give the asphalt time to cure and be ready for installing the weigh-in-motion scales,” says Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.

“The asphalt layer at each site needs time to harden and gain strength. The new layer needs to be undisturbed for 30 days so that it hardens sufficiently for contractors to make precise cuts into it to fit the weigh-in-motion weigh plates.

“We can’t remove the traffic management and run traffic over it because it has been laid at precise levels so the scales work properly when they are installed. We want to avoid the risk of the soft asphalt crumbling.”

The scales are being installed on 5 of the roads heading towards the safety centre:

• SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout
• SH1 south of the roundabout
• SH5 east of the roundabout
• Napier Road west of the roundabout
• Nearby Crown Road.

Temporary lanes have been built on the road shoulders to allow traffic to pass around the work areas and minimise the use of stop/go or temporary detours.  Speed restrictions are in place and only minor delays are expected.

The curing period will run from the end of April to the end of May.

The Taupō weight station is 1 of 12 facilities NZTA is building on high-volume freight routes around the country for NZ Police to operate. The safety centres are part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.

This technology will screen passing traffic and direct any suspected non-compliant heavy vehicles into the safety centre. Police officers on site will check vehicle weights, road user charges, certificates of fitness, logbooks and driver impairment.

Read more about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres:

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP)

 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Thursday, 17 April 2025.

Please note this traffic bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information(external link)

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Millwater northbound off-ramp, 14 April
• Southbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Onewa Road on-ramp, 16 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Northcote Road southbound on-ramp, 16 April
  • Esmonde Road southbound on-ramp, 16 April

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• None planned

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Khyber Pass Road southbound on-ramp, 15 April
• Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 13-14 April (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)
  • Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 13-14 April (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)
  • Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 13-14 April
  • Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 13-14 April
• Northbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 13-16 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 16 April
• Southbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 15 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Mt Wellington Highway southbound on-ramp, 15 April
  • Princes Street southbound on-ramp, 15 April
  • Highbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 15 April
• Highbrook Drive southbound on-ramp, 14 April
• Southbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and East Tamaki Road on-ramp, 16 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• East Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 13-14 April
• Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 14-16 April
  • Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 14-16 April
  • Ramarama northbound on-ramp, 14-16 April
• Southbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Bombay on-ramp, 13-14 April
  • Ramarama southbound on-ramp, 13-14 April
• Northbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Bombay northbound on-ramp, 13 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Bombay off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 14 April
  • Bombay northbound on-ramp, 14 April

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Rd, 14 April (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 14 April (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• SH16 eastbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 14 April
  • Great North Road eastbound off-ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 14 April
• SH16 westbound to SH20 southbound link (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 14 April

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• Hobsonville Road westbound off-ramp, 13-14 April

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Northbound lanes between Massey Road off-ramp and Kirkbride Road (SH20A) on-ramp, 13-14 & 16 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • SH20 northbound to SH20A southbound link, 13-14 & 16 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Massey Road northbound on-ramp, 13-14 & 16 April
• Northbound lanes between Cavendish Drive off-ramp and Kirkbride Road (SH20A) on-ramp, 15 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • SH20 northbound to SH20A southbound link, 15 April (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Massey Road northbound on-ramp, 15 April
  • Puhinui Road northbound on-ramp, 15 April
  • Cavendish Drive northbound on-ramp, 15 April

GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

• None planned

PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

• None planned

Please follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Current overnight closure information(external link) 

Auckland roads and public transport(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Road workers have been busy on Central Otago, Queenstown and Wanaka highways completing a variety of maintenance improvements in the lead-in to winter, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

While the annual programme includes multiple reseal and road rehabilitation elements, it doesn’t stop there, says Peter Standring, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in Central Otago.

“Maintaining our roading network is a complex piece of work,” he says.

Aspiring Highways crews, on behalf of NZTA, have also completed hours of painting, litter-picking, filling potholes, sign replacement, cleaning, rockfall prevention, tree-felling, road-kill removal and much more.

“All of this work is to ensure the safety of every road user as well as the efficiency of the network. Our crews are out on the road daily and take a real pride in the work they deliver.”

This could involve cleaning reflector caps on edge markers or painting sight rails, trimming trees to improve sight lines at intersections or removing road-kill from the road.

“Every possum or hedgehog has the potential to become a pothole if it isn’t removed in a timely fashion.  When the remains break down and decay, the fats and oils soften the seal underneath, potentially creating a pothole.”

Reflective material on signs is also cleaned or replaced regularly.

“This is a very important but time-consuming job and not something many people will always notice or consider. All these smaller components add up to ensuring we are keeping people safe on the road throughout the year,” says Mr Standring.

He acknowledged some of the works resulted in slight delays or temporary lower speed limits. “We always appreciate the public’s patience when the team carry out these works.”

The NZTA Traffic and Travel page is a good place to check your route before you head off for any planned work sites that could cause short delays:

Traffic information page(external link)

How to get details and keep up-to-date

If there are concerns or questions around these works, road users can contact the Aspiring Highways team at: customer@aspiringhighways.co.nz

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The Manakau rail overbridge on State Highway 1 is about to get a new road surface ahead of the Easter break.

Road crews will be completing this work on the night of Wednesday, 16 April between 9 pm and 4:30 am.

State Highway 1 is heavily used and there are no local detours available, north and southbound drivers will need to wait up to 20 minutes under stop/go traffic management.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, travel earlier if possible, and expect delays until the work is completed.

The narrowness of the bridge and the heavy machinery being used means both lanes must be closed as there is not enough safe space to let vehicles through.

The project has been deliberately timed to minimise  its impact on the public. Work will be done at night when traffic volumes are lighter. Doing it during the day when there are more vehicles on the road would create longer delays and more disruption for drivers.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the Wellington Transport Alliance understand that these works will affect residents and road user. However, this essential state highway maintenance is critical in ensuring the highway remains safe and reliable for the public.

More Information

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drivers travelling on sections of State Highway 1 on Vivian Street and Kent Terrace can expect smoother journeys ahead, with resurfacing works planned next week.

Three nights of work are planned for Sunday, 13 April, Tuesday, 15 April, and Wednesday, 16 April. Weather permitting, work crews will be on site between 9 pm and 4:30 am each night.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says these central city sections of State Highway 1 are heavily used.

“Heavy traffic causes damage over time, and these areas need resurfacing. It will make travel  through the CBD smoother and safer for drivers.”

Ms Hilliard says the aim is to get the work done as quickly as possible.

“Work crews will work at night when traffic volumes are lower. Vivian Street and Kent Terrace are busy during the day, and we do not want to disrupt traffic in peak periods because of the delays this would cause.”

She says the work will require altered lane layouts, a one-night closure of SH1/Vivian Street between Tory Street and Kent Terrace, and a two-night closure of the Kent Terrace/Pirie Street intersection.

“Unfortunately, we cannot do this sort of work without affecting traffic. However, there are alternative routes on local roads drivers can use.”

“People will still be able to get through the central city, they will just need to allow for a little more travel time,” Ms Hilliard says.

Work crews will do their best to control noise and its impact on inner-city residents. Residents can expect to hear noise on nights when work is underway near their properties. We aim to complete the noisiest part of the work between 9 pm and 11 pm.

Works Schedule and Detour Maps

• Sunday, 13 April, 9 pm – 4:30 am
  • SH1/Vivian Street closed between Tory Street and Kent Terrace for resurfacing.
  • Traffic detour via Taranaki Street, Cable Street, Oriental Parade, and Kent Terrace.

• Tuesday, 15 April, 9 pm – 4:30 am
  • Resurfacing the Vivian Street/Kent Terrace intersection and Kent Terrace approach to Basin Reserve
  • Altered lane layout for traffic
  • Vivian Street traffic wanting to turn right onto Kent Terrace will need to turn left and use Elizabeth Street turn-around (see map below).
  • No access to Pirie Street from Kent Terrace/Cambridge Terrace.
• Works location:

• Detour Route:

• Wednesday, 16 April, 9 pm – 4:30 am
  • Resurfacing the Kent Terrace/Pirie Street intersection and Kent Terrace approach to Basin Reserve
  • Altered lane layout for traffic
  • No access to Pirie Street from Kent Terrace/Cambridge Terrace.
• Works location:

More Information