Resealing work to cause delays

Major road resealing work around Rotorua and the Eastern Bay is set to get underway on Monday.

Motorists are urged to take care on the roads and allow extra time when travelling in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Rotorua over the next month as a major road reseal programme gets underway.

New Zealand Transport Agency Bay of Plenty journey manager Nigel D'Ath says the reseal programme begins on Monday January 19 and will wind up around February 20.

"For most people summer is a time to get outdoors, head to the beach and have fun but it's also a time when our contractors are busy repairing road surfaces and carrying out important safety improvements," he says.

"Summer is the best time to reseal our roads as warmer temperatures and dry air helps new seal to stick to the road surface.
"We try to minimise the impacts of the work but people can expect short delays due to speed restrictions and stop/go traffic control. Our contractors will do their utmost to minimise the delays.
"We hope the travelling public understand the importance of these works and we thank them for their patience."

Mr D'Ath says it is critical that motorists slow down and keep to the speed limit through work sites.

"Resealing and reconstruction work involves heavy machinery, loose metal, hot bitumen and a lot of workers, often on foot - that's why speed restrictions are needed," he says.

"So speeding through the sites can be dangerous for our road workers and other motorists, as well as causing damage to the work.
"We specially ask motorists to obey the speed restrictions where sealing work is underway or just completed. This not only helps to settle in the new surface but will prevent stone chips from flying up onto passing vehicle windscreens."

The work starts in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with five sites being resealed on State Highway 30 between Rotorua and Whakatane from next week.

In total there will be over 30 sites resealed during the month long programme.

Week starting 19/1/15
- Motorists travelling SH30 between Rotorua and Whakatane are likely to experience delays, with up to five reseals sites in place, particularly in the vicinity of Te Teko and Awakeri.
- Motorists travelling SH2 between Matata and Awakeri may experience delays due to reseal sites around Awaiti and Edgecumbe.

Week starting 27/1/15
- Motorists travelling SH5 between Tirau and Rotorua are likely to experience delays due to reseal sites around the Mamaku area.
- Motorists travelling SH5 between Rotorua and Taupo may experience delays due to reseal sites around Reporoa and Mihi.

Week starting 9/2/15
- Motorists travelling SH30 between Rotorua and Whakatane are likely to experience delays around Rotoiti (Hongi's Track).
- Motorists travelling SH2 between Awakeri and Opotiki are likely to experience delays, particularly through the Waimana Gorge.
- There will also be a number of sites on SH2 between Opotiki and Gisborne (Waioeka Gorge) and on SH35 between Opotiki and Te Kaha.

Week starting 16/2/15
- Motorists travelling SH2 between Te Puke and Opotiki are likely to experience delays, particularly around Pikowai and Waiotahi.
- Motorists travelling SH35 between Opotiki and Te Kaha may also experience minor delays.

All works are weather dependant and therefore subject to change.

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

- for more on local roading projects read tomorrow's Rotorua Daily Post.