Tauranga to Katikati roadworks cause heavy traffic delays on State Highway 2

State Highway 2 users are frustrated at what they say are “serious traffic” delays because of roadworks.

Motorist Josh Hein told SunLive there appeared to be a line of traffic around 15km long on the highway between Tauranga and Katikati.

He said the congestion starts about 500m south of Pahoia School and ends around Bethlehem.

“This is our route home from work which is going away from Katikati. If we were to travel back at that time in the morning [7am] it would add at least three hours to our trip,” said Hein.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said chipseal works were being carried out on a section of SH2, between Te Puna and Aongatete.

“Chipsealing provides important waterproofing on the road surface which protects road pavements.”

A screenshot from a video sent by a SunLive reader of the SH2 traffic.

Once crews complete laying and rolling the new chip, a reduced speed limit will be in place over 24 hours to help the chipseal bed in.

Pavement rebuild works have started at Snodgrass Rd and the chipseal programme is under way north of Te Mete Rd.

Bay of Plenty system manager Sandra King said SH2 was a sensitive piece of road and any reduced speed limits from work or incidents on or around the road caused changes in traffic flow.

“The main cause of congestion is the sheer volume of traffic, with more than 6000 vehicles per day added to this corridor in the last 10 years.

“Last week also saw people returning to work or driving home from holiday.”

King said traffic was also impacted by the major scrub fire and an emergency incident.

NZTA said it was carrying out night works and using temporary speed limits to reduce the impact on traffic.

Chipseal sites between Tauranga and Katikati have been programmed at night to coincide with reduced traffic volumes during the daytime over this school holiday period.

“This week, sites located between Clarke and Te Mete Rds and Barrett and Ōmokoroa Rds are under construction before anticipated wet weather sets in later in the week”, King said.

“From Sunday, weather depending, work will commence on a site north of Ōmokoroa near Francis Rd, and three sites between Hot Springs Rd and Walker Rd East.”

Two roundabouts are also in construction for the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project at Apata Station Rd, and Pahoia and Esdaile Rds. Roundabout construction is also under way at SH2 Ōmokoroa Rd.

“We appreciate any delay to travel is frustrating,” King said.

She encourages people to allow extra time for their journeys.

SH2 maintenance and works programme

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements: Two roundabouts are currently in construction.

SH2 Apata Station Rd: Road widening works are under way in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. Expect delays.

SH2 Ōmokoroa Rd: Road widening and service relocation works are under way in preparation for the new roundabout. Lane shifts are in place along with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Expect delays, especially during peak times.

SH2 Snodgrass Rd, Te Puna: Night work started on a road rebuild on Sunday, January 12, taking approximately six weeks to complete near the Snodgrass Rd and Te Puna Quarry Rd intersection. While the work is taking place the entry into Snodgrass Rd and Te Puna Quarry Rd will be closed at the state highway end. Alternative roads are available to the south via Munro Rd and to the north via Armstrong Rd or Borrell Rd. Work will start at 8pm each night, finishing at 5.30am, there will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h during the day.

SH2 North chipseal programme: There are nine chipseal sites on SH2 north of Tauranga which started on the night of Sunday, January 12, taking 10 nights to complete between Clark Rd and finishing near Aongatete. There will be a temporary speed limit in place the day after the chipsealing has been completed to allow the chipseal to bed in. The two chipseal sites south of Ōmokoroa will be completed by the end of this week with a sites at Te Puna and Ōmokoroa already completed over the past two days.

This work forms part of the Government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.

People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner. NZTA Journey Planner

NZTA thanks road users and the community for their patience.

*All dates are subject to suitable weather conditions.