Construction crew along SH30/Te Ngae Road

Keeping everyone safe by sticking to the speed limits

It is our utmost priority to keep everyone safe on our roads. Everyone should get where they’re going safely whether they’re walking, cycling, driving, motorcycling, using public transport or working on one of our construction sites.

Speeding through our work sites is a common issue and poses a significant safety risk – especially during winter, when visibility can be limited, and wet weather can occur more frequently. We ask that everyone stick to the posted speed limits to help make sure everyone gets home safe at the end of each day.

We know that motorists find it frustrating when temporary speed limits are in place outside of our work hours. We only do this to ensure the safety of all road users. For example, where a hazard may exist that makes it unsafe for motorists to travel at normal speeds, such as loose chip, ghost markings or changes in road layout.

We are encouraging motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for their travel, particularly in the mornings. Where possible, people may also like to consider travelling outside peak periods. We appreciate the delays are frustrating and thank motorists for their patience.

The new Tarawera signalised intersection

SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One

We’re nearing a critical milestone for the Eastern Corridor Stage One project with the new traffic lights at the State Highway 30/Tarawera Road intersection due to be turned on at 6am tomorrow, Friday 23 July, weather dependent. The upgrade means that one of Rotorua’s busiest intersections will be safer and easier to use.

The temporary roundabout is scheduled to be removed overnight, with the lights expected to be operational from 6am tomorrow. This may be delayed in the event of unsuitable weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

When the traffic lights are operational, the community is being advised to expect delays while the intersection continues to be an active worksite for the next few weeks as final works are completed and people get used to the new layout. There will be occasional lane closures, additional signage, and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.

You’ll find more details on the shift here.

Puarenga Bridge underpass

The Puarenga Bridge underpass has undergone a major transition and is now open with pedestrians and cyclists requested to take care as contractors continue with landscaping works through this area. We continue work on widening the footpath on the northern side of the bridge to join with the shared path at either end of the bridge. The underpass is part of Te Ara Ahi, one of New Zealand’s 22 Great Rides, taking cyclists on a journey through Rotorua’s volcanic wonderland of steaming vents, bubbling mud pools and spectacular geysers.

Work is also progressing well with the undergrounding of power lines and is nearly complete between Sala Street and Tarawera Road. With these poles now being removed, works are in full swing on the shared path and landscaping in the area. The removal of the remaining overhead poles between Tarawera Road and Iles Road is expected to be completed by September.

Full road rehabilitation underway on SH33

SH33 Safety improvements progress update

Work is progressing well on the first stage of the 2.9km section between the Sun Valley Curves passing lane and the recently completed passing lane on the long hill towards Rotorua.

These safety improvements include shoulder widening, wide centreline and flexible safety barriers along the roadside. Before the safety improvements are made, we are completing a full road reconstruction on a 2.1km length, providing more strength and skid resistance to the surface.

To do this work as safely and efficiently as possible, the 2.1km length has been split into six 750m sections, with work being completed one lane at a time, under Stop/Go using traffic lights. People can expect some delays during peak times and we thank people for their patience. 

To minimise queuing, the site is being monitored 24/7. When traffic is building during peak morning and evening times manual Stop/Go traffic control will be put in place to clear it as quickly as possible.

Once this section is completed there will only one 3.5km section of safety improvements left before this 34km stretch of State Highway 33 will be completed. All going to plan this project will be be completed by mid-2022.

For more information www.nzta.govt.nz/tnj2p

SH33 Ōkere Falls to Hamurana Road shared path

Activity alongside State Highway 33 in Ōkere Falls has increased as construction has started on the new shared path. 

The contractor is currently preparing to widen the road shoulder and will then construct a two-metre-wide shared path along the edge of the road. 

There is currently a temporary speed limit, with Stop/Go traffic management, to protect road users and the team on the ground.

The new shared path and pedestrian refuge islands are expected to be finished in October, subject to weather.

When completed, the shared path will be behind a safety barrier within the 80km/h section between the Waipuna Bay lay-by and the Whangamarino School access. Four pedestrian refuge islands will also be constructed. A map of the shared path and location of the pedestrian islands can be viewed online here.

How long is the shared path?

Approximately 3km from Hamurana Road to Ōkere Falls Store / rafting drop in area.

Ngongotahā roundabout

SH5/SH36 Ngongotahā roundabout and SH5 safety improvements

Works to improve road and roadside safety on SH5 between Tarukenga and Ngongotahā and reduce congestion at the SH5/SH36 roundabout are progressing well. 

At the roundabout

Works are well underway at the roundabout and we remain on track for roundabout completion in August, subject to weather conditions. All stormwater and water main services have been relocated. The base layers of the road around the roundabout have been formed and the membrane seal is complete. We have started to lay the first layers of asphalt, kerb installation is scheduled for next week followed by the second layer of asphalt.

Once the second layer is finished, we will divert the Ngongotahā to Rotorua traffic through the roundabout and start working on the bypass lane from Ngongotahā to Rotorua. This will include excavating the bypass lane and constructing new kerbs and islands. This work is expected to be completed by mid to late-August, weather dependent.

Speeding at the Ngongotahā roundabout
With speeding continuing to be an issue we’re implementing traffic calming measures, including speed humps on the lane from Ngongotahā to Rotorua.

Western Road detour
The Western Road detour will continue to be in place until end of August due to delays caused by bad weather, including heavy rain and low temperatures. While this is not uncommon for this time of year, there has been a lot more rain in a short period of time. We’d like to acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause and thank everyone for their patience.

While the detour is in place, the extended 30km/h speed limit on Western Road will remain. We also made minor adjustments to the SH5 temporary roundabout following feedback from the public. The changes aim to improve visibility, slow down approaching traffic and improve safe navigation through the roundabout. We will continue to monitor traffic and may do further adjustments.

www.nzta.govt.nz/t2n

SH36 Awahou Bridge shoulder

SH36 Awahou Bridge widening

A new wider road shoulder and footpath has been installed alongside State Highway 36, at Awahou Bridge, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

By the end of July, the final touches will be completed such as installing a section of guardrail and extending the hand rail.

We’d like to thank people for their patience while the widening and footpath construction was underway.

This work is part of the Waka Kotahi Safe Network Programme where regional state highways are being made safer through a range of lower cost safety improvements.

SH30 Awakeri

Safer speeds for SH30 Tikitere to Whakatāne

Community engagement on safer speeds for State Highway 30 (SH30) between Tikitere (Rotorua) and Whakatāne closed on 7 July.

We’d like to thank everyone who made a submission, attended a drop-in session or shared any concerns they have about this stretch of state highway.

We are now reviewing the feedback received. As changing speed limits is a legal process, there are numerous steps to follow when considering changing them.

One of the steps is formal consultation. After we complete the review of the engagement feedback, and if it is recommended to propose new speed limits, we will formally consult on our recommendations. As part of this we will share a detailed proposal and ask if there are any additional factors we need to consider.  

Ensuring speed limits are safe and appropriate is one of the best things we can do to prevent people being killed or seriously injured on our roads. However, any changes in speed limits doesn’t mean we can’t make further improvements to the road.

Our priority is to make this state highway safer as soon as possible so that everyone living on and using it can get where they are going safely.

SH5/SH30 urban Rotorua speed consultation

Waka Kotahi completed the consultation phase of the State Highway 5 (SH5) and State Highway (SH30) urban Rotorua speed limit review on 21 April.

As changing the speed limit is a legal process, there are numerous steps we need to carefully follow. The team is currently finalising the review of all the submissions and technical data to the state highway.  We hope to be able to make an announcement on the outcome of this speed review once the necessary steps have been completed.

Speed review process