Project updates
May update
30 May 2025
The temporary State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road roundabout is on the move - but it won't be going far.
The current layout will remain the same, but it is being shifted south slightly to allow construction to continue southbound on SH2, from Ōmokoroa Road.
Weather permitting, changes to the roundabout will be made from the middle of next week, and are expected to remain in place until the end of winter.
While the majority of those travelling through the roundabout won't notice a huge difference, those who need to turn right into Youngson Road will need to take more care. This is because the right-turn bay into Youngson Road will be removed temporarily.
Please be patient and follow the traffic management in place.
April update
Our teams have been busy over the past couple of months, with the construction of the temporary roundabout.
We have mostly completed full width construction of an area north of roundabout – and are currently working alongside the existing road on the western side – (Youngson Rd heading north)
The temporary roundabout is a smaller and a simpler version the final road layout but gives drivers an experience of what’s to come and improve safety in the meantime.
The team on the ground continues to be busy working on the relocation of services such as power, water, streetlight cables and stormwater pipes.
Over the coming weeks, while driving through the site, motorists can expect to see some intermittent off-peak Stop/Go controls, and the traffic will be under contraflow.
Contraflow in this instance means that as construction progresses, there will be times when traffic may flow on one lane one day and possibly another lane a week later.
Please be kind to our crew on the ground. They are doing their absolute best to get this important work done, and we will keep you updated if another change is on its way.
February update
Our teams have been busy over the past couple of months, with relocation of services such as power, water, streetlight cables and stormwater pipes complete.
Most of the earthworks in the north-east corner are finished and we’re now working on pavement construction and road surfacing.
You might also notice work happening on the southern side of Ōmokoroa Road. This is to relocate telecommunications services alongside the road.
What’s coming up?
From Friday 7 March there will be a roundabout in place at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa Road.
Overnight on Thursday, 6 March, a temporary roundabout will be marked out, which will remain in place until Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade has been completed.
The temporary roundabout will be a smaller and simpler version the final road layout, but will give drivers an experience of what’s to come, and improve safety in the meantime.
Work will then continue on the lanes north of the new roundabout. This phase of the project is expected to have the most significant impact on traffic.
Over the coming weeks, while driving through the site, motorists can expect to see some intermittent off-peak Stop/Go controls, and the traffic will be under contraflow.
Contraflow in this instance means that as construction progresses, there will be times when traffic may flow on one lane one day and possibly another lane a week later.
Our friendly traffic management teams will have clear signage and reduced speed limits in place, making it easy for everyone to travel through the site. Please be kind to our crew on the ground. They are doing their absolute best to get this important work done.
January update
Work has been continuing through December and January and is progressing well. It’s been a busy time relocating and undergrounding services such as power, water, streetlight cables and stormwater pipes.
Most of the earthworks in the north-east corner is now complete and teams are moving onto pavement construction and road resurfacing, which includes part of the state highway. A traffic shift is in place now for this work to be completed so please be prepared for changes in the road layout and speed restrictions. Keep an eye out for our friendly traffic management teams who will help guide you through the site safely.
You might also notice work happening on the southern side of Ōmokoroa Road. This is to relocate telecommunications services alongside the road.
Looking forward to the next few months, pavements and road surfaces will be completed to a level that will allow traffic to be moved over so work can start on other areas.
November update
What's happening now?
It’s been a busy time with the teams installing services, stormwater pipes and building the new Youngson Road approach.
We want to say a massive thanks to everyone for your patience while Youngson Road was closed, closing the road gave the team space to complete this section of work quickly, reducing the length of time that people would be inconvenienced.
The team have almost completed the new accessway off Youngson Road too. This will provide a safer access for those that currently access off the state highway.
A big milestone has been relocating the overhead power lines on State Highway 2 which allows the teams to get on with removing more dirt and building the new road in the area of the future Omokoroa Road approach to the new roundabout. This was a mammoth task with the installation of 12+ poles and five power shutdowns to connect new power lines.
Some of the most challenging work, especially on this job, has been the work that has happened below the ground, often unseen. All of the installation and relocation of services has meant that people living in the area have been able to turn on a tap, switch a light on and off, and continue to watch their Friday night movies with no problems.
The site will shutdown from Friday 20 December 2024 until Tuesday 7 January 2025. Until then works will continue alongside the existing roadways. Traffic management will be similar to what you have seen. Traffic management will be reduced as much as possible over the break.
Eyes on 2025
We’ll continue work in early 2025 and will be focusing on the new approaches to the first roundabout. The site team will continue install of underground services and widening of the existing roadways to create space for the major changes as the new roundabout starts to take shape through 2025. This means there will be speed restrictions will be in place, and lane shifts in operation.
October update
This project is going ahead in leaps and bounds with a lot of dirt being moved over the past few months.
In fact, since clearing all the trees and vegetation in the area that will be the new Ōmokoroa Rd approach to the roundabout, the teams have shifted around 14000 cubic metres of dirt, installed and relocated numerous services and placed the first two layers over aggregate plus some kerb and channel.
Work is also well underway on the Youngson Road approach and a new accessway for residents on the corner of SH2 and Youngson Rd.
The next big step is relocating of overhead Power and Telco services. Which is a mammoth challenge.