Road rebuild to begin on SH2 near Te Puna

There will be overnight works on SH2 near Te Puna later this month. Photo / Brett Phibbs

State Highway 2 near Snodgrass Rd will undergo a six-week overnight asphalt rebuild starting January 12 to improve safety and reduce disruptions.

The works, scheduled for completion by February 24, weather permitting, include overnight roadworks with stop/go management on the highway from 8pm to 5.30pm.

The entries and exits to Snodgrass and Te Puna Quarry roads off the highway will be closed for the duration of the works, with detours via Munro, Armstrong, and Borell roads, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a statement.

“We understand how working in this area of the Western Bay can cause significant delays and queues, which is why crews are working at night to minimise disruption and getting the majority of the work done during the school holidays when traffic volumes are lower,” said Sandra King, NZTA Bay of Plenty system manager.

During the day, a reduced speed limit will apply, and gentle ramps will ease height differences on SH2.

The overnight SH2 road rebuild starts on January 12 and finished in late February.

“Maintenance on this high-volume stretch of road is very important for the safety and resilience of the network. These works involve digging out the existing road layers and replacing them layer by layer,” King said.

The project is part of the Government’s $2.07 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention Fund for road and drainage renewal and maintenance from 2024-27.

“More than 20,000 people travel through this part of SH2 daily and a smooth road makes all these trips safer and more enjoyable, and we encourage people to check the NZTA Journey Planner before you travel,” King added.