SIGNS warning drivers that Pyes Pa Rd from Tauranga to Rotorua is closed are working despite concerns to the contrary, contractors say. The road is closed for about 10 weeks to allow major works to be done to remove the 15kmh hairpin bend at Mangorewa Gorge. Tourism lodge manager Reg Turner saidsigns along the route were confusing motorists. Mr Turner said a sign at Barkes Corner should be installed to tell motorists of the detour via Te Puke. A further sign should be erected on Pyes Pa Rd saying ``access closed'' to Rotorua, he said. But project manager Bob Waterhouse, of HEB Contractors, said only a handful had made it as far as the roadblock. All had been quite happy about having to detour to Rotorua via Te Matai Rd and state highways 2 and 33, he said. "We've had very few motorists come through. With the signs and advertisements in the newspapers and on radio I think most people are aware of the road being closed," he said. One couple who reached the barrier were tourists and had obviously been unaware of the publicity, he said. The barrier was manned at all times to help anyone who needed directions. None of the motorists had complained about the signs that still pointed to Rotorua, Mr Waterhouse said. The first of eight red and bright orange signs telling motorists of the road closure ahead is at the first Joyce Rd turnoff, indicating 26km to the road closure. Similar signs indicate the closure at 21km, 15km and 7km from the site. The other signs closer to the site are larger and a driver who missed all eight signs would have to be driving blind. Western Bay District Council's roading manager Alister McCaw said the signs were sufficient, increasing in size, visibility and frequency the closer a motorist got to the roadblock. He said the first few hours of the closure had gone very smoothly with only one car turned back at the Rotorua side of the gorge. However, he said council would look at covering up signs that still showed Rotorua could be reached via Pyes Pa Rd. Email Lesley Staniland
