Garth Bostock from Bostock Butcher will be happy to see the end of the road cones at the Te Puna roundabout. Photo/John Borren
Sopping winter weather has been blamed for delays in finishing three frustration-inducing sets of roadworks on Western Bay highways.
The New Zealand Transport Agency confirmed its projects at the Te Puna roundabout, the intersection of Te Puke Highway and Welcome Bay Rd, and State Highway 29A near Maungatapu Bridge were all behind schedule.
At the SH29A roadworks, motorists have noticed potholes forming in newly sealed areas over the last month.
The Te Puke Highway roundabout work, which began in March, is also expected to be completed next month.
It could not come soon enough for Te Puke Diner owner John Shrestha, who believes the roadworks had cost him business.
He said friends were coming to have lunch at the diner on Monday this week, but when they hit the detour at the Papamoa East turnoff they turned around and went back to Tauranga.
Living in Tauranga, he was affected as a commuter as well. On the unpredictable days the detours were in place he was usually late, he said.
While being late was not a good look for a business owner, he reckoned it must be harder for people with bosses looking over their shoulders.
"It's all a bit of a hassle at the moment. They should be doing the work at night."
He had some patience for the work as he believed it would result in a safer intersection.
Agency spokesman Mr Simcock said wet weather, difficult ground conditions and an archaeological find had delayed work.
Meanwhile, Te Puna commuters should soon be able to say goodbye to the road cones at the intersection of SH2 and Minden Rd.
Mr Simcock said the roundabout itself was done and all that remained was some landscaping and minor works off the highway.
The agency elected to seal the new road over winter rather than wait for more spring and delay the project further, though there was a risk the seal may have to be redone.
"We have been monitoring the impact of sealing during winter and so far the pavement below the seal layer is performing well."
Mr Simcock said the agency hoped to announce a possible completion date later this month.
The project to replace the T-intersection a safer two-lane roundabout had a $5.25 million budget. The agency did not answer a question about how much it had actually cost to date.
It was likely no one was happier to see the roundabout work, which began in June 2016, finally finishing than Minden Rd butcher Garth Bostock.
The Bostock Butchery owner blamed lane closures as well as the congestion associated with the work for driving away customers, resulting in a downturn in his business.