Prue Allan, the owner of the Good Eastern. Photo/Andrew Warner
More than 270 people have contacted the New Zealand Transport Agency to give feedback on key projects under way in Rotorua.
The agency has significant works under way in both the east and west of the city: the State Highway 30 eastern corridor improvements and the State Highway 5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā improvements.
This week marked a significant milestone in the eastern corridor works as the traffic lights, replacing the Tarawera roundabout, were completed.
Traffic was flowing freely after the new signalised intersection at Te Ngae/Tarawera Rd was turned on on Friday morning.
Jo Wilton, the agency's regional manager or infrastructure delivery, said NZTA had received 232 inquiries about the eastern corridor works and 40 about the SH5 works.
These included general inquiries, positive commentary and complaints through the national office and the on-site contractor.
She said the eastern work complaints predominantly related to delays and multiple worksites which were in place so contractors could complete the work on time.
"Constructing major roading projects on busy state highways is a huge challenge and requires very careful planning. The construction programme is put together with the aim of completing the work as quickly as possible, while minimising the effect on the community and keeping traffic moving."
Prue Allan, the owner of the Good Eastern, which is on the corner of Te Ngae and Tarawera Rds, said the roadworks had been tough on business.
They often meant workers from the industrial area were unable to cross the road at lunchtime to head over for lunch there or at other businesses in the Redwoods Centre.
"A lot of us have had rent raises and reduced earnings."
They had put out their own "road signs" pointing people towards the taphouse for beer for "some entertainment".
"We wanted to keep some positivity around it all, it's been 19 months since it started.
"We had the perfect storm with Covid and continuation of road works."
She said the constantly changing road layouts had caused some angst for staff and people travelling through and made the building filthy inside and out.
"For some customers, by the time they negotiate the roundabout they just keep going."
But she said the business was lucky to have supportive customers.
"We've got great clients that do still support us and have gone above and beyond making effort to come to us.
"We've got great beers and food so we've got to keep doing what we do well."
She said it was hard to quantify how business had been affected because it was a relatively new business before Covid-19 but dealing with the ebbs and flows of customers was a challenge.
"We're trying to do the best we can with what we've got."
Wilton said the team was continually looking at ways to speed things up or improve the eastern project, monitoring live traffic and making adjustments.
"The upgrade means that one of Rotorua's busiest intersections will be safer and easier to use."
Wilton said the temporary signalised intersection on Te Ngae Rd was introduced during the school holidays when traffic flows were more consistent throughout the day.
"Some delays are anticipated as people adjust to the new layout and the traffic lights. The intersection performance will be monitored and adjustments made to the traffic light phasing, as required."
After this the remaining work would be mostly minor "with minimal impact on the community", Wilton said.
When asked about the nature of the complaints relating to the SH5 works, Wilton said it had taken motorists time to adjust to the new layout and get through the site at the start of the project resulting in complaints.
"Predominantly, we receive complaints about the delays the works cause. Feedback from the community has also been very proactive and enabled us to improve the worksite.
"Works are progressing as quickly as possible given the constraints, such as working around live traffic."
Wilton said NZTA was working closely with the Ngongotahā community and looking at ways to improve the project.
It had already made minor changes to improve visibility, slow down approaching traffic and improve safe navigation through the temporary roundabout following public feedback.
NZTA had also installed traffic-calming measures like speed bumps to combat speeding.
"While work continues on the roundabout upgrade, motorists are asked to take extra care while the detour is in place. Please stick to the posted speed limits, especially along Western Rd and near Ngongotahā village.
"Work has been progressing well at the roundabout," Wilton said.
"All stormwater and water main services have been relocated. The base layers of the road around the roundabout have been formed and the membrane seal is complete. We have started to lay the first asphalt structural layers and hope to complete this soon."
Once the second layer is finished, traffic travelling to Rotorua will be diverted through the roundabout so work can start on the bypass lane.
Work on the bypass lane is expected to be done by mid-to-late-August and includes excavation and constructing new kerbs and islands.
The Western Rd detour would remain until the end of August due to delays caused by bad weather, she said.
"We'd like to acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause and thank everyone for their patience."
Both projects are tracking to budget and are on track to be finished later this year.
In relation to both projects, Wilton said keeping everyone, from commuters to construction workers, safe on the roads was NZTA's priority.
Wilton said speeding through work sites was a common issue and significant safety risk.
"Especially during winter, when visibility can be limited, and wet weather can occur more frequently. We ask that everyone stick to the posted speed limits to help make sure everyone gets home safe at the end of each day."
She said while temporary speed limits outside of work hours could be frustrating, they ensured the safety of all road users.
NZTA was encouraging motorists to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and travel outside of peak periods if possible.
Defence counsel says Mark Hohua died after falling on to concrete steps while fleeing.