Tauranga traffic chaos - with worse to come

Tauranga's traffic congestion is being aggravated by resealing and maintenance - and greater snarl-ups are forecast in the New Year.

Officials say motorists can only avoid peak times - or ride bikes.

Commuters going home from work this week to Mt Maunganui and Papamoa have had up to an hour added to their journey by resealing of a stretch of highway between the Hairini roundabout and the Maungatapu Bridge.

In a domino effect cars have been queued up from Fraser St, Cameron Rd has been at a standstill up to 15th Ave, and the Harbour Bridge has been mobbed by motorists seeking an alternative route. Next week, the resealing programme moves to State Highway 2 between Te Maunga and Papamoa's Domain Rd.