Traffic backed up on Tarawera Rd this morning.
Rotorua’s eastern suburbs are in a “state of gridlock” this morning due to the closure of a major arterial route for road repairs.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has closed State Highway 30A between Te Ngae Rd and Fenton St this week for resurfacing.
The works were scheduled to start at 8am yesterday and end at 5.30pm on December 12 with the NZTA saying the closure is the quickest way to get the necessary job done.
Rotorua resident Kim, who asked that her surname not be used, said it took her 90 minutes to get from Rotokawa School to Rotorua town centre – a journey that usually takes about 25 minutes “on a bad day”.
Kim, who also battled ongoing roadworks at Okere Falls on a daily basis, believed the recently installed traffic lights at Wharenui Rd added to the traffic issues caused by the partial Te Ngae Rd closure.
“I hate to say it, but it’s the traffic lights.
“If you turned the lights off and just used stop–go so it flowed, I feel like that would be better … I don’t know.
“The lights aren’t synced. People are pulling through when there’s a gap, then sitting in the middle.”
Last week, NZTA said an issue with the traffic loops that trigger the Wharenui Rd lights meant they were “on automatic time changes and delays may occur at peak times”.
Work on the lights was scheduled from November 11 and NZTA aimed to fix the timing issue by the end of this week.
“I knew it was going to take me longer but it is an absolute cluster,” Kim said.
Other motorists described the eastern suburbs as being in a “state of gridlock” on social media this morning.
“This is absolutely ridiculous … 49mins from [the] airport and I’m only at Basley Rd.”
A commenter reported taking two hours to drive 3km. “I hope there are a lot of very patient employers out there. I feel for the kids trying to get to exams.”
Another said it took them an hour and 45 minutes to get from Rotorua Airport to the BP station on Te Ngae Rd.
“Took me 1hour 10min to get from Lynmore school to polytech and that’s a 7min drive on a normal day,” another comment said.
Traffic is also backed up at Mourea and Hamurana with motorists attempting to get into the central city by going around Lake Rotorua.
On Friday, NZTA system manager Bay of Plenty Sandra King said the closure was the quickest and safest way to rebuild the road with asphalt layers.
This required large volumes of plant and equipment to be on site.
King acknowledged the work was disruptive.
“However, the benefits outweigh the negatives. We simply can’t complete the significant amount of asphalt rebuild work at this location without causing disruption to people’s journeys.”
All four lanes of SH30A, both in each direction, would be rebuilt, “giving the road a fresh, smooth asphalt finish that will improve driving conditions and extend the life of the road”.
While the road was closed, a detour would be in place via State Highway 30 Te Ngae Rd, left to Sala St, right to Fenton St, to Amohau St and vice versa.
Businesses and residents would still be able to access Marguerita St and Te Ngae Rd, and there is a sign-posted track for cyclists and pedestrians.
The detour route for heavy vehicles heading into the central city is SH30 Te Ngae Rd, left to Sala St, left to Hemo Rd, right to Old Taupo Rd (SH5), right to Pukuatua St (SH30A), and vice versa for those heading east.
A separate NZTA bulletin on Friday said crews would be working Monday to Saturday, 24 hours a day, to ensure the work is completed quickly and safely.