Avoid major snarl-ups, drivers urged

Expect a lot of traffic this weekend as Crankworx kicks off.

Rotorua motorists are being told to expect major traffic delays around Skyline this week, and to avoid the area where possible.

The NZ Transport Agency says thousands of people are expected to attend Crankworx, an international mountain-bike event at Skyline on State Highway 5, and increased traffic is expected to cause major delays.

The festival runs from today until Sunday, with the events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday expected to attract the most people.

People not attending the event are advised to consider an alternative route via State Highway 33/State Highway 30 and Te Ngae Rd (east of the lake) and avoid the area if possible.

Traffic is expected to peak on State Highway 5 and SH36 between the hours of 5pm and 7pm today, tomorrow and Friday, as people leave Skyline each day. Tomorrow traffic is also expected to peak just after 2pm.

Traffic is expected to be heaviest on Friday, between 5pm and 6pm. Weekend traffic is expected to be heaviest between 12pm and 5pm each day.

For real-time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.

For personalised information about driving conditions, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at the www.onthemove.govt.nz site.