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Connect Rotorua |
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22 December 2023 |
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We couldn't do it without you!The Rotorua project teams would like to thank you for your ongoing patience throughout the year. We would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and remind you to take care on the roads, whether you’re travelling near or far. Our crews are making every effort to complete works and tidy sites before they take a well-earned break until the New Year. They, and the maintenance teams, are making the most of the longer and drier days. This will mean worksites will continue to pop up across the Bay of Plenty region. Projects like State Highway 30 Eastern Corridor, State Highway 33 safety improvements and our maintenance work are important to ensure the state highway network continues to be safe and accessible at all times. We want you to get to your friends and whānau safely. When you’re out on the roads this summer, drive to the speed limit, don’t drink and drive, make sure you’re rested, and plan ahead. When you arrive at a worksite, remember the team is working for you, making your journeys safer and more enjoyable. Give them a toot or a wave, it will make their day. |
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Ngāti Rangiteaorere Koromatua Council, NZTA, Beca, Downer and MS Civil project team representatives attended a blessing at the new roundabout on SH30/33 to acknowledge completion of the project. SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction roundabout completeThe intersection of SH30 and SH33 - Te Ngae Junction (Whakatāne turnoff) is significantly safer with the completion of a new roundabout and other safety improvements. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says it has been a complex and important construction programme at the intersection, and she thanks road users for their support during the project. “This work is so important because it improves safety at this high-risk intersection, and it’s a key link between Rotorua, Tauranga and the eastern Bay of Plenty. “Because of the nearby stream, width of the road, and with no local detours available, road users faced both manual stop/go traffic management and automated traffic lights at the intersection from late May to mid-July and we thank them for their patience,” she says. Even though construction of the roundabout was completed in July, the final surfacing and road-marking were scheduled for the warmer weather to ensure a quality result, and were completed in November. |
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SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two progressWork on the SH30 Eastern Corridor – Stage Two project on Te Ngae Road from Iles Road to Coulter Road is progressing well. We are addressing safety and connectivity, while accommodating for future growth and providing better travel choices. We have been busy these past few weeks opening footpaths, landscaping, sealing, line marking and completing minor works along SH30 Te Ngae Road. Our team will be observing the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays and will be off site from midday Friday 22 December till 8am Monday 8 January 2024. If you see any issues on site over this time call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449). There will be a temporary speed limit in place over the construction holiday, but the road will be as open as possible. |
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SH33 final section of safety improvements underway between Sunvalley curves and Maniatutu RoadThe final section of safety improvements on SH33 are now underway between Sunvalley curves and Maniatutu Road. The final 5km will see vegetation clearing, road widening, wide centre line and side barriers, and will be complete mid 2024. Outside the Christmas period, while the work is underway, there will be temporary traffic management in place including stop/go or temporary traffic lights, reduced temporary speeds, lane shifts and shoulder closures. Minor traffic delays are expected. |
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Other works in the regionSH5 Utuhina Bridge work completed early Detailed planning combined with fine weather and favourable ground conditions saw work on SH5 Utuhina Bridge completed and the road reopened three days early. The works were timed to coincide with the start of the term three school holidays, to take advantage of fewer people on the roads. Everyone working on this project made it a priority to complete the works as quickly as possible, with day and night shifts used to speed the project up.
Summer road maintenance programme underway This all contributes to improving the condition of the state highway network, resulting in smoother journeys for all. Work has been planned to minimise delays, but given the volume of work, there are few sections of the network where people won’t experience some sort of disruption. It’s important during the summer months to factor in extra time to your journey, to ensure you arrive on time and safely at your destination. The Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) is the best place for information on the status of the state highway network. With live updates on worksites and other road hazards, Journey Planner can help road users plot the best route to their destination. |
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Plan ahead to minimise delays these summer holidaysWe are expecting high volumes of traffic on state highways and local roads across the Bay of Plenty throughout the Christmas/New Year period. While most road works stop prior to busy holiday travel periods, people should still allow extra time if travelling through project sites where temporary traffic management, including temporary speed limits, are in place over the Christmas/New Year period. In the wider Bay of Plenty, drivers should be prepared for heavy traffic volumes over the Kaimai Range, on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihī, and also between Katikati and Tauranga. The Waka Kotahi Holiday Journey Planner shows predicted traffic flow across popular journeys over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period based on previous years’ travel patterns. Congestion and delays are inevitable in peak times, however if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, frustrations can be eased and everyone can concentrate on arriving safely at their destination. Please take extra care when travelling during the holiday period. Consider travelling outside of peak times when traffic is lighter and take regular breaks. Plan ahead with the help of the Waka Kotahi journey planner at journeys.nzta.govt.nz |
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New videos show crash avoidance features – RightcarA new video series about the key crash avoidance features to look for in a vehicle has been launched on Rightcar. In the animated videos we join ‘Sam’ on a journey to discover more about a range of electronic crash avoidance features which can all help save lives and reduce injuries by automatically assisting drivers when needed. Each of the videos acknowledges anyone can make mistakes when driving, before explaining how a specific crash avoidance feature works. This is typically by detecting people’s mistakes, such as speeding or drifting out of a lane, or detecting something in the path of the vehicle, such as another car, and alerting or assisting the driver if they don’t act. The nine safety features chosen for the videos include automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist systems, selected due to their potential to prevent the most common crash types in Aotearoa. You’re welcome to watch and share the crash avoidance features and while you’re on Rightcar, check the safety rating and crash avoidance features of your current car. Remember, to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads we need everyone making safe choices, in safe vehicles, on safe roads and travelling at safe speeds. Watch the videos here. |
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More information |
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For more information on Connect Rotorua, contact us at ConnectRotorua@nzta.govt.nz Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/connect-rotorua For travel planning, updates and general information visit:
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