SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa

Making State Highway 33 safer

Work on making State Highway 33 (SH33) Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa safer over the last 12 months has gone well, with the majority of stage one finished. 

As we prepare for the Christmas shut down, we thought you might like to know what we’re planning and what you can expect to see next year.

Work completed

Stage one

Stage one was split into several sections. The areas around Paengaroa, south of Allport Road and between Mourea and Te Ngae Junction will be completed by Christmas. Within the current 100km/h sections we widened the centreline, widened the road shoulder and installed roadside barriers, freshened up the line marking and tidied up the roadside. 

Most of the safety improvement work in the urban areas of Okere Falls and Mourea has been moved to 2019. Our current plans make SH33 safer for the most common types of crashes. As the Okere Falls and Mourea communities grow, we need to make sure we can make it safer for people walking or biking, or just trying to cross the road. We have listened to what people have been saying and will take a step back, re-looking at the speed limit and how we can make it safer for everyone. 

In the meantime, and before the busy summer period, a speed activated warning sign has been installed to encourage drivers to slow down as they come into Okere Falls.

Stage two and three

Stage two has been split into three sections and work is expected to start next year. 

Stage three will also be completed in three sections and work is expected to start late 2019/early 2020. 

All going to plan, this project will be finished mid-2021.

What about speed limits?

You told us you supported the proposed SH33 safety improvements, but you also wanted the speed limit reviewed on some parts of the road. The NZ Transport Agency is currently working through a process to consider a review of the speed limit on the stretch of SH33 that runs from Paengaroa to State Highway 30 at the Rotorua Airport. We expect to be able to come back with more details in the new year.

Keep up to date

Tell your friends and family to sign up for updates by visiting our webpage nzta.govt.nz/tnj2p

More information

For more information on the SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa project, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with Justin Rae, our Community Engagement Manager, on 021 390 732 or email justin.rae@saferoads.co.nz

Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/tnj2p