Road delays possible over long weekend

NZ Transport Agency has advised motorists to drive with care and plan ahead to avoid delays over this jam-packed long weekend.

Between this long weekend and Waitangi weekend road works around Bay of Plenty will continue and NZTA media manager Natalie Dixon said people should allow extra time when travelling.

Ms Dixon outlined some of the site around Tauranga that may cause delay.

People not attending the Jetsprints event at Baypark Stadium tomorrow are advised to avoid the area before and after the event if possible to reduce congestion.

Roads around the stadium are expected to be busy before gates open at 2pm, and when it wraps at at 10pm tomorrow.

Motorists travelling southbound on Tauranga's Takitimu Toll Road are advised to drive with extra care from next week as contractors start work on the foundations of a new road sign gantry.

Work starts on the concrete foundation on Tuesday February 3 (weather permitting) and will continue for two weeks. A speed restriction and lane closures will be in place at times during the work. The gantry will be erected in March.

Motorists travelling on SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi are urged to drive with extra care over the next four months as work gets underway on a major safety upgrade.

A section of highway between Wainui South Road and Sargent Drive will be repaired and widened, and a wire rope central median barrier installed to prevent head on crashes.

Work started this month and is expected to wrap up in early May.

People should only expect minor delays minor delays but are urged to stay alert behind the wheel as there will be significant changes including lane closures, speed restrictions and occasional stop/go traffic management.

Motorist travelling between Tauranga and Rotorua on SH36 are advised to expect delays over the next month as contractors carry out rockfall prevention work in the Mangorewa Gorge. Speed restrictions and traffic lights will be in place at times from February 9. Please allow an extra 10 minutes for your journey.

Stop/go traffic management will be in place on SH35 west of Opotiki from 2-5 February to allow contractors to clear a slip in the area. Motorists are advised to drive with care. At the same time work will be uinderway on a section of SH2 just south of Opotiki, where contractors will be resealing and reparing a section of the highway.

Motorists traveling on these routes during the works are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes driving time.

People can get the latest highway information by checking the Transport Agency's website: www.nzta.govt.nz or click on Summer Journeys, sign up to www.onthemove.govt.nz for up-to-date information on what is happening on the route you plan to travel. Freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS for national and regional travel updates.