There will be no rush-hour relief for motorists on Riverside Drive as roadworks continue to cause frustration.
While the morning traffic had eased on Tuesday, the traffic had been backed up along Riverside Drive to the Whangarei Heads roundabout at 8am on Monday.
Whangarei District Council said it has no plans to delay work till after the morning rush was over.
However, the morning rush to town may be the lesser of two evils.
The council's roading manager Jeff Devine said if the roadworks were to be put off until night, the noise would affect residents.
"However, when we link to the existing Riverside Drive bridge, we will consider this as a night operation as it will not be possible to keep the road open to two lanes due to the narrow bridge," he said.
One Onerahi resident, who did not want to be named, said his trip into town that would usually take 10 minutes took 30 minutes along Riverside Drive.
"It seems incredible that they carry out the roadworks right at the time when everyone has somewhere to be."
Mr Devine said the roadworks did not impede the road. The temporary speed limit caused tailbacks.
"Drivers all approach temporary speed zones differently, some slow more quickly than others," he said.