NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty Office

17 July 2012

Tauranga Eastern Link - repairs continue on State Highway 2 between Bruce Road and Domain Road, Papamoa

Motorists travelling on State Highway 2 (SH2), between Domain Road intersection and Bruce Road, Papamoa are advised a 30km/h speed restriction and a manual stop/go will be in place on Wednesday evening from 6.30pm until 6.00am on Thursday morning, whilst repairs continue to be carried out on the road surface.

As part of the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Tauranga Eastern Link project, pre-load material (sand) is being laid adjacent to the highway to compact the ground beneath, to provide a firm base on which the new road will be constructed.

NZTA’s Bay of Plenty State Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says that more repair work is needed on SH2 over the next couple of weeks to continue to repair damage caused by the weight and settlement of the pre-load.

“The repairs are important to ensure the state highway operates efficiently and it is anticipated that some cracking to sections of this road surface may continue to occur until the pre-load is removed in approximately 12 months’ time.”

Motorists are advised to plan their journey ahead of time, and to take extra care, as delays are to be expected while driving through this area.

The NZTA thanks motorists in advance for their continued patience and assistance while this work is being undertaken.

The proposed repair work for Wednesday 18 July – Saturday 21 July includes:

Wednesday 18 July – night time works
• From 6.30pm – 6.00am Thursday 19 July
• 30km/h speed restriction, manual stop/go

Thursday 19 July – day time works
• 50km/h speed restriction
• Lanes diverted to one side for both north and south bound traffic

Thursday 19 July – night time works
• From 7.00pm – 6.00am Friday 20 July
• 30km/h speed restriction, manual stop/go

Friday 20 July – day time works
• 50km/h speed restriction
• Lanes diverted to one side for both north and south bound traffic
• At times mobile sealing will be undertaken. Motorists are advised travel time delays can be expected.

Friday 20 July – night time works
• 50km/h speed restriction and north/south bound lane diversions remain in place

Saturday 21 July – day time works
• 50km/h speed restriction and north/south bound lane diversions remain in place
• At times, mobile sweeping and line marking will be undertaken. Motorists are advised travel time delays can be expected
• 80km/h speed restriction will be reinstated upon completion of the above works.

Day time and night time works are weather dependent.

Keep up-to-date with developments at www.nzta.govt.nz/tel
Sign up to receive Tauranga Eastern Link weekly traffic impact reports at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/tel/mailinglist.html

ENDS


Editor’s notes

The four-lane Tauranga Eastern Link will run from Te Maunga (near Baypark Stadium) in Tauranga to the existing junction of State Highways 2 and 33 (the Rotorua and Whakatane highways) near Paengaroa. It will be made up of 17km of new road and an upgrade of six kilometres of existing highway. The new highway is expected to open to traffic in 2016.

The Government has identified seven essential state highway projects linked to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Called the roads of national significance, or RoNS for short, the NZTA is charged with delivering this programme of state highway improvements within the next 10 years. The RoNS programme represents one of New Zealand’s biggest ever infrastructure investments and is a key part of the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s Policy Statement for transport.

The seven RoNS projects are based around New Zealand's five largest population centres. The focus is on moving people and freight between and within these centres more safely and efficiently. Other RoNS may be added in future but currently from north to south the seven projects are: Puhoi to Wellsford - SH1, Completing the Western Ring Route, Auckland - SH16, SH18 and SH20, Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland - SH1, Waikato Expressway - SH1, Tauranga Eastern Link - SH2, Wellington Northern Corridor - SH1, Christchurch Motorways. More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/rons.