SH2 Safety and Resilience Works Progressing Across the Eastern Bay of Plenty

Progress continues on the Eastern Bay of Plenty State Highway 2 safety improvements, with crews making good headway on key construction activities across the teardrop roundabout sites and Matekerepu Bridge.

Recent work has focused on culvert installation, road construction, drainage improvements, kerbing, earthworks and landscaping.

A new 900mm stormwater culvert has been installed beneath State Highway 2 as part of an upgraded drainage system serving the future Waiotahe Valley Back Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road intersections.

The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the culvert will carry stormwater beneath the highway, helping to improve drainage, reduce flood risk during heavy rainfall and protect the long-term integrity of the new road pavement.

The new 900mm stormwater culvert installed beneath State Highway 2 with safely carry stormwater under the road. IMAGE // NZTA

The agency said installing the culvert was a significant undertaking, with crews excavating beneath the existing road corridor to depths of up to 4.5 metres.

“Approximately 27 metres of concrete pipe was installed, along with a wingwall outlet structure, before the road pavement was reinstated,” it said.

The work was completed under contraflow traffic management, allowing traffic to continue moving safely through the site while minimising disruption to road users.

“Final sealing work is expected to take place in the coming weeks.”

Artists impression of completed teardrop roundabouts on State Highway 2. IMAGE // NZTA

NZTA said construction on the teardrop roundabouts is progressing well across both sites.

At the Ōhiwa Beach Road roundabout, crews are currently building the road foundation, installing new concrete kerbs and constructing drainage structures to carry stormwater away from the roadway.

Earthworks are also continuing across the wider site, including batter construction and placing topsoil ahead of landscaping.

The improvements are designed to make the intersections safer and improve the overall resilience of the highway and connecting local roads.

The temporary speed limit remains at 30km/h during the day, increasing to 50km/h overnight. Both Waiotahe Valley Back Road and Ōhiwa Beach Road remain open while construction continues.

NZTA advised road users to take care through the work areas, with unsealed surfaces being monitored regularly to help ensure they remain safe for traffic.

Further along the corridor, work on the Matekerepu Bridge is now in its final stages, with only a small amount of work remaining before the project is complete.

Upcoming work includes laying the final asphalt surface and completing the permanent road markings.

Road users may have noticed a dip in the bridge surface and the temporary 30km/h speed limit currently in place.

NZTA explained that this is because the bridge pavement is being constructed in stages and has not yet reached its final level.

The temporary conditions will be addressed as part of the final surfacing works.

“The current road surface and traffic management arrangements are safe for road users while the remaining works are completed,” it said.

The project has taken longer than originally anticipated after crews uncovered unexpected pavement layers during construction.

“This required additional investigation, redesign and construction work,” the agency said.

Winter weather has also affected the programme, as asphalt can only be laid when temperatures are suitable to ensure a high-quality finish.

Final bridge surfacing is currently planned for this coming spring, when ground conditions are warmer.