Huge snarl-ups expected as major roadworks start

Bay motorists can expect severe delays at peak times from Monday as five months of roadworks kick in - and they are being urged to change their travel habits to ease the problem.
Monday's work focuses on building a median barrier on State Highway 29 between Te Maunga and Maungatapu.
Contractors began erecting signs today that will reduce the speed of traffic on the highway to 30kmh while work continues to complete the $4m project.
Over the past year, contractors have widened and strengthened the existing road to accommodate the median barrier.
Access strategic roading network director John Hannah suggested motorists avoid that section of State Highway 29 in peak periods between 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm.
"Regular commuters should also consider travelling to and from work earlier or later to avoid the peaks," he said.
Mr Hannah warned that the alternative Harbour Bridge crossing was already congested and if significant numbers of drivers swapped routes, congestion would then increase on both routes.
He said that delays would get worse in February when the school term started.
The January date was set after plans to undertake the roadworks during November or December raised fears of even bigger traffic jams.
Once the median barrier project was completed, construction of the Hewletts Flyover would begin to hit traffic flows on Hewletts Rd and Maunganui Rd.
Transit and Tauranga City Council are timing these projects so roadworks will largely be confined to one harbour crossing at a time.