SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne safety improvements

Project update

28 November 2023

Season’s greetings from the SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne project team

Kia ora, and welcome to the last SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne newsletter for 2023.

We are pleased to let you know that the team is very close to completing the detailed design for a significant part of this highway. We have considered your feedback and have made changes as a result. We will soon start the process of applying for funding for construction.

First priority; roundabout at Mill Road

Over the past 18 months, the project team has been engaging with iwi, stakeholders and the community on the designs for these important safety improvements.

During this process we had some significant conversations and received great feedback from the community about what’s important to you for this project.

We received a lot of feedback about Mill Road; you wanted this dangerous intersection to be made safer by constructing a roundabout.

We are happy to say we are working on a detailed design for a roundabout at Mill Road as result of your feedback. Funding for construction of this roundabout has not yet been applied for, we need to get the design finished first. 

We also want to prioritise improving the section of road from Thornton Road to Pheonix Drive, starting with the roundabout at Mill Road.

The next step after detailed design is finalised is to apply for the necessary construction funding. We will keep you updated when we have more information.

In the meantime, you may have seen some action

You may have seen our crews carrying out investigations work to assess the ground conditions around the Mill Road site. This helps us understand what’s under the surface and whether any stabilising or strengthening work is needed before building the roundabout.

Understanding the ground conditions early mean they’re less likely to cause delays or problems down the track. This information is also needed to apply for funding.

On behalf of the entire project team, have a safe, happy and relaxing holiday season.

The summer break is the busiest time of the year on our roads – and combined with hot weather, holiday stresses and other traffic, can lead to frustrations, risky behaviour, driving mistakes and crashes.

Make sure to allow plenty of time to get where you’re going. Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road, share the driving if you can, and check your car’s tyre pressure, wipers, headlights and fluids before leaving.

Wherever you’re headed this summer, you can plan your trip using on our Journey Planner website. You’ll get the latest information about travel times, and any delays, roadworks or road closures.

More information

For more information on the SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne safety improvements, visit our project website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh30A2W

Or contact us at bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz

Call our 24/7 freephone number to get the latest state highway travel information. You can also use this freephone number to report issues impacting travel on our state highways:
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)