That incident delayed bin deliveries to kiwifruit contractor Peter John's orchards by more than 40 minutes.
"I've got 40 people on $17.65 an hour plus 8 per cent sitting around twiddling their thumbs waiting for the kiwifruit bins to arrive."
He said an hour of delays in a day could cost him up to $800.
It was a regular problem, and he wished the work could have been done outside the busy kiwifruit picking season.
The agency's Bay of Plenty highways manager Niclas Johansson said they tried to avoid maintenance work during agricultural seasons.
"But work that will prevent serious crashes and have the potential to saves lives should continue."
The agency's data showed the roundabout could reduce death and serious injury crashes by 90 per cent at the high-risk intersection.
"We understand the frustration the work is causing, and we are taking a fresh look at the way the construction is being carried out and the impact it is having on people."
Meanwhile, Garth Bostock, owner of Bostock's Butchery on Minden Rd, was wondering how he would pay his bills this month,
He said his turnover dropped by a third last month due to temporary lane closures near the entrance to the retail zone where his business was located.
"It's taking so bloody long. I reckon I could have done everything they've done on my own by now."
A month behind on rent and with 10 staff counting on him for wages, he just hoped it would all be over soon.
Four Square owners Pritesh and Dipti Bhikha said the roadworks had been the biggest disruption to their trade in their eight years of ownership. Turnover was down 10 to 15 per cent, and more during times of heavy disruption.
The couple said there had been a long-term drop off in usually brisk evening trade due to the difficulty of making a right turn for northbound commuters.
Last week's closure of one of their entrances had been a double blow, as it made stopping much more inconvenient for morning traffic.
Like Mr Bostock, they were grateful to the loyal locals who had persevered through the delays and disruptions to give them custom.
For the Accommodation Te Puna Motel, the toughest time had hopefully passed, duty manager Jason Zhao said.
There had been particularly noisy excavation work a month-and-a-half ago, which some guests had complained about and had been noted in online reviews.
Steve Bowen travelled north through the roadworks every morning and had seen crawling queues stretching on and on for kilometres.
"I see it every day, and I just feel so sorry for those people. It's just a joke.
"Some mornings I see six school buses just sitting in traffic."
Western Bay of Plenty deputy mayor Mike Williams sympathised with both commuters and road workers.
It took almost an hour-and-a-half for him to get from Katikati to the council offices in central Tauranga on Thursday.
"I was stopped dead still for about 15 minutes. It just shows how vulnerable we are - one breakdown on a small piece of road and everything grinds to a halt.
"It's just time and a little bit of patience that's needed. I'm sure they are working as hard and as fast as they can."
Roadworks may be halted over winter
The New Zealand Transport Agency is considering delaying the final stages of work on the Te Puna roundabout until warmer weather sets in.
"If we work over winter there will be extra costs and a risk that the road needs to be resealed again months after it is finished," NZTA Bay of Plenty highways manager Niclas Johansson said.
"We need to weigh up all of those risks before committing to do this.
"We are aware of the community and commuter's views, and we will take these into account when deciding."
Mr Johansson said all sections of the road still needed to be sealed. The roundabout also needs to be formed, some lanes raised and local roads tied in before lighting and landscaping could be done.
He said the project has been beset by challenging weather and delays in relocating services such as power and water.
