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. Check out the information on the right-hand side of this page for all this and more.
Roundabout Update - 28 July 2025
Road widening will start soon on the Tauranga side of the roundabout, paving the way for the future four-lane layout. The work will start within the next couple of weeks, and take around three months to complete, with two phases of traffic changes.
Phase 1
Traffic travelling towards Tauranga (southbound lane) will be moved further to the left side of the road, while the space in the middle - between the north and south lanes - is widened. While this work is being carried out, there will be no right turn into or out of Youngson Road from SH2, however vehicles will still be able to turn left in or out of Youngson Road. The roundabout will also be shifted slightly, but this change will be minor and you are unlikely to notice a big difference. Weather permitting, this phase is expected to take up to six weeks to complete, with detour routes signposted.
Phase 2
The northbound lane (travelling towards Katikati) will be shifted towards the centre of the road, creating a space to the left for further road widening. While this configuration is in place, Youngson Road will be closed to vehicles both entering and exiting the road, and a detour will be in place. This work is likely to take six weeks, and we'll be in touch with residents in the area closer to the time to let them know what to expect.
Ōmokoroa Road 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 starts 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 - 11 June 2025
Work is steadily progressing as you enter Ōmokoroa Road. The Higgins team has been busy on the eastern side, clearing berms and vegetation while preparing trenches for power utilities.
This phase also includes undercutting in preparation for road widening. This involves digging out the soft or weak soil underneath the road and replacing it with stronger material to make the road more stable and longer-lasting.
Over the coming weeks, efforts will continue preparing the area for the existing overhead power cables to be moved underground.
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.