Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises multiple worksites are active on State Highway 30/Te Ngae Road, between Sala Street and Iles Road, in Rotorua this coming week, starting today.

This work is part of the Eastern Corridor Stage One project.

With the majority of work at the Sala Street intersection now complete, motorists should notice less delays on the corridor.

Minor delays are still expected, and motorists are advised to plan for delays and allow extra time for their journeys.

Work sites for the week starting Sunday February 7:

• State Highway 30, Sala Street to Hamiora Place – shoulder and/or lane closures (outside of peak travel times) will be in place throughout the week as construction of the three-metre-wide shared path continues on the northern side of Te Ngae Road. Contractors continue working in the flush median outside the new St John Ambulance Station, constructing a signalised area which will allow ambulances to turn right towards the CBD in an emergency.

• State Highway 30, Vaughan Road – a shoulder closure is in place outside Agrowquip, on the slip lane into Vaughan Road, while contractors work on the drainage system.

• State Highway 30, Tarawera Roundabout – The temporary roundabout layout will be shifted to a smaller version overnight on Tuesday 9 February. Contractors will complete the shift between 7pm and 5am. During this time additional traffic management will be in place at the intersection, including some lane closures, as required. The work is being completed overnight to minimise the disruption to traffic, however delays are expected. If weather or other factors prevent work being completed on February 9, the shift will be postponed to the next appropriate night.
• State Highway 30, Marino Road – Access from Marino Road into the Tarawera Roundabout remains closed until mid-February while contractors complete road reconstruction outside Copeland Lawyers/GJ Gardner. Vehicles can still enter Marino Road from the roundabout during this time. Access out of Marino Road is via Vaughan Road.

• State Highway 30, Neil Hunt Park – The shared path is open for use, however some sections are incomplete. Please take care when utilising this area.
• State Highway 30, Allen Mills to Iles Road – eastbound traffic between Allen Mills and Iles Road are currently utilising the flush median whilst contractors are completing road and footpath construction along this stretch of road. This week will include road surfacing work undertaken in this area.

Temporary speed limits of 30km per hour or 50km per hour will be in place at the above work sites while contractors are on site. Outside of work hours the road will operate as normal.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to walk or cycle around all worksites. Where required, staff can assist pedestrians past the site safely.

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

Changes to SH30 Rotorua's Tarawera Road roundabout this week

Rotorua motorists are advised to expect significant changes to the State Highway 30/Tarawera Road roundabout next week.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the temporary Tarawera roundabout will be shifted overnight on Tuesday February 9 2021 as part of the ongoing work to upgrade the intersection.

Waka Kotahi is transforming the roundabout into a signalised intersection as part of the Eastern Corridor Stage One project.

Contractors will be on site on Tuesday night between 7pm and 5am to complete the shift. During this time additional traffic management will be in place, including some lane closures, as required.

The work is being completed overnight to minimise the disruption to traffic, however delays are expected.

Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton says the new temporary roundabout will be significantly smaller than the current version and will be positioned closer to GJ Gardner.

'We've planned the shift carefully to ensure the way people use the roundabout won't change. The 30km/h temporary speed limit will also remain in place," says Jo.

The new roundabout will be in place for approximately seven weeks and will allow contractors to work in the area outside the Good Eastern Taphouse.

Following feedback from the cycling community, it will also offer better off-road access for cyclists than the previous roundabout location. On-road cycle access will still be narrow due to the lane widths.

The shift was originally planned for January, however, after consultation with local businesses Waka Kotahi decided to delay until after Waitangi weekend, says Jo.

'We are working closely with nearby businesses, who told us they would prefer we start work after the long weekend when the majority of holiday makers have left.”

After Tuesday, motorists are advised to plan for additional delays as motorists adjust to the new layout.

This is the second of approximately four shifts of the temporary roundabout. The remaining shifts are planned for April and May. By mid-year the intersection will take its final form as a signalised intersection controlled by traffic lights.

The shift is weather dependant. In the event of poor weather, the work will take place on the next clear night.

For more information on the Eastern Corridor Stage One project visit nzta.govt.nz/eastern-corridor-stage1

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