The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists to drive to the conditions this weekend after the recent southerly blast.
Winter weather conditions have brought cold temperatures, strong winds, rain and snow to low levels across the regions.
MetService is currently expecting snow showers on:
People should also take extra care and drive to the conditions on State Highway 2 Gisborne to Opotiki.
Transport Agency contractors will be out in force and motorists can use the website and social media channels to stay up to date.
Motorists can get real time information from:
For Waikato/Bay of Plenty updates
For current travel times use: www.drivelive.nz/BayofPlenty(external link)
The Transport Agency’s Winter Journeys website www.nzta.govt.nz/winter-journeys(external link) brings together tips on winter driving and links to get updates on the latest weather and road conditions.
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On the Move(external link).
Work or events that are scheduled to start in the next week or are currently underway are detailed below to help people plan ahead when travelling. Works and events are weather dependent and may be postponed if necessary.
Some new local road connections are on the Rangiriri section of the Waikato Expressway will be in operation.
The Rangiriri interchange southbound on-ramp, which connects to Murphy Street in Rangiriri, will open to traffic and the newly named Te Wharepu Bridge will be operating two-way. At the same time the temporary intersection which has been used between Glen Murray Road and SH1 will close and the new connection to Rangiriri Road will open.
Maps showing these changes and additional connections opening in October are available in the latest project update online at www.nzta.govt.nz/rangiriri(external link)
The NZ Transport Agency is advising people attending the All Blacks game in Hamilton on Saturday to plan their travel and leave plenty of time to arrive before kick-off.
More traffic than usual is expected on the State Highway network, particularly on State Highway 1 through Huntly.
The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists to expect delays on State Highway 25 just south of Coromandel Township due to a slip below the road.
The underslip occurred at approximately 4pm Wednesday August 10. One lane of the road is currently closed and stop/go traffic management is in place. Engineers are currently working on a solution to stabilise the underslip.
Work on a major repair to State Highway 5 at Tumunui, 17kms south of Rotorua, is underway. Motorists are advised to expect lengthy delays and consider using an alternative route.
Transport Agency contractors will be digging out and replacing a 12 metre wide, four metre deep stretch of the highway, which has been damaged by a natural process called tunnel erosion.
One lane remains open and stop/go traffic management has been in place since the damage to the road first occurred in late July. Motorists should be prepared for delays of 20 minutes or longer during work hours and are urged to consider using an alternative route such as State Highway 1 and State Highway 30.
Work is continuing on the upgrade to the intersection at Iles Road and Te Ngae Road (SH30), also known as Lynmore junction.
Lights and a controlled pedestrian crossing are being installed.
The work is expected to be finished by mid-November. Motorists can expect some delays while work is being carried. To avoid any potential delays Lynmore residents can use alternative routes such as Vaughn Road and Tarawera/Lynmore connections.
Motorists are asked to drive with extra care and expect delays when travelling through the roundabout over the coming weeks.
Tauranga City Council’s contractor is carrying out works and speed restrictions, lane closures and occasional stop/go traffic management will be in place at times.
The works coincide with the opening of a new shopping centre nearby on Thursday 15th September. Extra traffic is expected on the road at this time.
There is a new road layout in place to allow construction to start on the second Maungatapu roundabout bridge.
The minor traffic shift should not affect the flow of traffic however some motorists may experience a slight change in the timing of the lights.
Traffic is already using the first bridge which was opened in June.
Road works are continuing on the roundabout.
A 30kph speed restriction will be put in place from 9am to 4pm. Extra care is required when traveling through this site.
Contractors are resealing Western Bay of Plenty local roads for the next three months.
Please observe all speed restrictions on these sites and drive with care.
Contractors will be carrying out road repairs between Kopuroa Stream Bridge and Poplar Lane starting next week.
Temporary speed limits will be in place and motorists can expect delays.
