Western Bay of Plenty reseal programme starts this month

Motorists are urged to take care on the roads and allow extra time when travelling in the Western Bay of Plenty during mid February to early March as a major road reseal programme gets underway.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty journey manager Nigel D’Ath says the reseal programme begins on February 18 and will wind up around March 6.

“For most people summer is a time to get outdoors, head to the beach and have fun but it’s also a time when our contractors are busy repairing road surfaces and carrying out important safety improvements,” he says.

“Summer is the best time to reseal our roads as warmer temperatures and dry air helps new seal to stick to the road surface.

“We try to minimise the impacts of the work but people can expect short delays due to speed restrictions and stop/ go traffic control. Our contractors will do their utmost to minimise the delays.

“We hope the travelling public understand the importance of these works and we thank them for their patience.”

Mr D’Ath says it is critical that motorists slow down and keep to the speed limit through work sites.

“Resealing and reconstruction work involves heavy machinery, loose metal, hot bitumen and a lot of workers, often on foot - that’s why speed restrictions are needed,” he says.

“So speeding through the sites can be dangerous for our road workers and other motorists, as well as causing damage to the work.”

“We specially ask motorists to obey the speed restrictions where sealing work is underway or just completed. This not only helps to settle in the new surface but will prevent stone chips from flying up onto passing vehicle windscreens.”

The work starts on February 18 in the Western Bay of Plenty, with three sites being resealed on State Highway 2 (SH2) between Tauranga and Whakatane, two sites on State Highway 33 (SH33) between Paeangaroa and Rotorua and one site on State Highway 36 (SH36) between Tauranga and Rotorua.

In total there will be over 28 sites resealed during the three week long programme, which is weather dependent.

· Week starting 18/2/15

o Motorists travelling on SH2 between Tauranga and Whakatane are likely to experience delays, with up to three reseal sites in place, around the Pukekina turnoff to Otamarakau.

o Motorists travelling on SH33 between Paengaroa RAB to Rotorua may experience delays due to reseal sites near Paengaroa.

o Motorists travelling on SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua may experience delays due to a reseal sites around Taumata Rd South to Mangatoi Rd.

· Week starting 23/2/15

o Motorists travelling on SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua may experience delays due to up to three reseal sites around the Taumata Rd North Intersection

o Motorists travelling on SH29 between Tauranga and the Kaimai Summit may experience moderate delays, with approximately seven reseal sites between the Ruahihi River Bridge to the Te Ahara Stream Bridge.

o Motorists travelling on SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati are likely to experience moderate delays, with three reseal sites around the Barrett Rd and Munro Rd turnoffs.

· Week starting 3/3/15

o Motorists travelling on SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati are likely to experience moderate delays, with up to five reseal sites in place between the south end of Katikati township and the Omokoroa Rd turnoff.

o Motorists travelling on SH2 between Katikati and Waihi are likely to experience delays, with up to three reseals sites in place between the Athenree Gorge and the Bridgman Lane turnoff.

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