'Hot spot' warning for motorists

DRIVE WITH CARE: On Easter Monday, traffic congestion may be at its heaviest on stretches of SH5 and SH2 south. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Hawke's Bay Police have issued strong "take care" advice for motorists through the holiday weekend while the New Zealand Transport Agency has issued a "congestion hot spot" warning for stretches of State Highways 5 and 2 south on Easter Monday.

Holidaymakers will be returning home after the break on that day.

The agency has targeted two prime spots on both stretches where the build-up of traffic could be at its heaviest.

SH5 between Napier and Taupo Te Pohue is seen as the hot spot on Monday - and for traffic heading west, the busiest time is expected to be between 9.30am and noon.

Traffic travelling east, toward Napier, is expected to be at its peak between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

On SH2 south, between Napier and Woodville, the area around Norsewood is expected to be at its busiest between 10am and 4.30pm.

Senior Sergeant Stu Fleming said throughout the weekend police would have a strong presence on all highways and said the 4km/h speed threshold in place for the holiday period would be strictly watched.

"Our advice is simple - be mindful of your speeds and following distances, and of course drive to the conditions," he said.

"Drive carefully and get to where you want to be, and that is not involved in an accident."

Mr Fleming said apart from speed patrols, police would also be watching for drivers who had not got the message about using cellphones while driving.

Correct use of seat restraints would also be closely monitored.

"We will be out there and watching for everything," he said. "The great majority of people are good but there is always a small number who do not follow the rules of good driving behaviour."

To ensure a smooth flow of traffic, NZTA road maintenance and repair crews will not be at work again until next Tuesday.

From that day there will be several worksites operating across the region's highway network.

Repairs will be under way on the Estuary Bridge, where intermittent traffic signals will be in operation, and there will be various work sites between Napier and Wairoa on SH2 where speed restrictions will be in place and slight delays likely.

Other works include reinstating the existing single-lane section around the Mohaka Viaduct near Raupunga back to two lanes, and other seal-widening and safety associated works.