Installing passing bay at Kotemaori

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Work gets under way this week on the construction of a slow vehicle bay on State Highway 2 at Kotemaori, near the intersection with Kakariki Farm Road.

Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency said the work site would be under traffic management during the construction period.

“Stop/go traffic control, along with a temporary 30-kilometre-an-hour speed limit, will be in place from later this week,” a Waka Kotahi spokesman said.

“Motorists can expect delays of up to five minutes as a result of the traffic management that will be in place.”

The 260-metre slow vehicle bay is part of Waka Kotahi’s Connecting Tairawhiti, which includes a programme to improve passing opportunities, build retaining walls and bring added resilience to parts of SH2 and SH35 around the region.

“This bay at Kotemaori will provide a safer opportunity for passing as road users head north to Wairoa,” the spokesman said.

“It will help reduce driver frustration, enable people to safely pass slower vehicles and continue their journey in a timely way.”

Waka Kotahi is also making safety improvements to Kotemaori School’s access on SH2, including a safe right-turn bay to access the school.

“These works will start after school has finished for the year.”

The project is expected to be completed in April 2024.