Safety drives essential maintenance on Bay of Plenty state highways

The NZ Transport Agency says contractors will be undertaking essential maintenance activities across the western Bay of Plenty this week.

Spokesperson Rob Campbell says these essential works allow contractors to ensure the road remains safe for all users.

“Safely maintaining New Zealand’s state highway system is considered vital at this time in order to ensure that critical functions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus can continue.”

This includes State Highway 2 between the intersections with Gill Lane and Ōmokoroa Road, where work to renew rumble strips will get underway from Sunday 5th April and will continue through Easter weekend. Work will take place overnight between 8pm and 5am. The works will be mobile operations, with traffic management trucks and may require minor lane shifts or closures.

Rumble strips are important longterm safety devices for the highway, as they are used to separate road lanes and help prevent vehicles accidentally leaving the road. They must be laid during dry, warm weather, as cold, wet weather affects adhesion and drying times.

Mr Campbell asks people to be patient and respectful to road workers and look out for their safety and wellbeing.

“If you see contractors out on the roads during the shutdown period please remember that they are carrying out essential work to keep us all safe.

“If you are using the roads during this period remember to comply with any temporary speed reductions through roadworks to keep workers safe. They are doing vital work and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.

“Only head out for essential supplies or services. Otherwise, please stay safe, and stay home.

“If you must drive to access essential supplies or services please take care, drive to the conditions and obey the speed limits.”

Mr Campbell says while NZTA does its best to provide up-to-date information, given the current operating environment under the COVID-19 alert system Level 4 some road works may change at short notice, and people are encouraged to visit the agency’s journey planner website at journeys.nzta.govt.nz for real-time information.