State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade
Kia ora, welcome to the SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including latest updates, frequently asked questions, and a timeline of upcoming steps.
Work wraps up at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Rd roundabout
2 April 2026
Construction of the roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa Road roundabout is now largely complete, making the intersection safer and improving access to and from Ōmokoroa.
The roundabout looks and feels finished, with line marking, landscaping and safety barriers in place, although drivers will notice that a temporary 60km/hr speed limit remains on the approaches to the roundabout.
This is because the final, skid-resistant road surface still needs to be applied, which can’t be done until spring when the weather is warmer and drier.
“The specialised surface provides extra grip on approaches to intersections, tight bends, and roundabouts, and plays an important role in improving safety, particularly in wet conditions,” explains Annelie Badenhorst, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Infrastructure Growth and Delivery Manager.
“Due to a combination of wet weather conditions and industry-wide supply issues, this final layer is now scheduled to be installed in spring, when conditions are more suitable, to ensure it performs as intended.”
In the meantime, the roundabout is fully operational, says Annelie.
“The temporary signs are there to encourage drivers to slow down when approaching and travelling through the roundabout, helping to keep everyone safe. We appreciate the community’s patience until this final step is completed.”
This is a significant project for Council, and once fully complete, the upgrades will improve safety and efficiency at the intersection, while supporting continued growth and access to Ōmokoroa.
“Council would like to thank everyone involved in delivering the project, including HEB Construction, Beca, NZ Transport Agency and the many service providers, whose work has been critical in bringing it to life,” says Annelie.
“We also want to acknowledge all those who travel through this intersection, for their patience during construction. We know the disruption hasn’t been easy at times, and we appreciate the support shown while this important work was carried out.”
While the roundabout marks a major milestone, work on Ōmokoroa Road will continue. Stage 1, between SH2 and Prole Road, is expected to be completed in May, with Stage 2 continuing for several more months as the wider upgrade progresses.
Ōmokoroa Road Stage 1 Works
As part of the intersection project, a 420-metre section of Ōmokoroa Road (from the SH2 roundabout to Prole Road) is being upgraded to meet urban standards. Here’s what’s happening:
- Power lines: Overhead power lines will be moved underground for better safety and reliability.
- Internet and phone services: Fibre and telecom networks will be upgraded to support future needs.
- Stormwater: Improving stormwater management in the area.
- Road construction: Widening the existing two-lanes to four-lanes, upgrade road layers for longevity, new kerbs and channels, and a roundabout at Industrial and Francis Roads for safer access.
- Pathways: A shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will be built from Ōmokoroa Road to Industrial Road.
- Safety features: New centre islands, streetlights, road signs, and markings will be added for improved safety and visibility.
Work started in April 2025 and continues through to May 2026.
Temporary traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works. Access will remain for residents and businesses and traffic flow in both directions will be maintained, with a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h to ensure the safety of the community and our team. We don’t expect any delays right now, but with the reduced speed limit in place, it might be a good idea to allow a few extra minutes for your journey.
Update - 1 April - Night works starting
Night works are coming up on Ōmokoroa Road, between SH2 and Prole Road, as part of ongoing road upgrades.
Our crews will be laying the final asphalt surface along this section of road.
When:
- Starting Tuesday 7 April 2026 for approximately two weeks
- 7pm to 5am
- (No work on Friday or Saturday nights)
Please note this work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if conditions are unsuitable.
What to expect:
- Lanes will be shifted over to allow surfacing to take place
- Increased activity and possible noise from heavy machinery and trucks
- Some temporary driveway access restrictions
Traffic management staff will be on site to help guide road users safely through.
We know night works can be disruptive, and we’ll be doing our best to keep noise and disturbance to a minimum. Completing this work overnight helps reduce impacts during the day and keeps the project moving along.
Industrial Road
The Industrial Road is currently under construction. Once finished, it will open up access to the zoned industrial land, just off Ōmokoroa Road near SH2 (adjacent to 491 Ōmokoroa Road).
To enable construction of the Industrial Road, and as part of the Ōmokoroa Urbanisation Stage 1 project, we have also constructed a temporary industrial pond. The next step for us is to work on the final solution for the industrial pond.
We expect to complete this part of the project by October 2025.
About this project
The State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade will address safety and capacity issues and unlock housing potential in Ōmokoroa.
The upgrade will include:
- a new interim roundabout at the State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection with four-lane tapers and highway improvements
- four-laning on Ōmokoroa Road from SH2 to Prole Road
- a new roundabout, servicing the industrial area, at the future Francis Road intersection.
- the closure and relocation of driveways opposite the state highway intersection onto Youngson Road.
This is a minimum 10-year interim solution to address the immediate needs of the intersection, until funding becomes available to build a full interchange.