Traffic changes ahead at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road roundabout
In the first phase of works there will be no right turn into or out of Youngson Road from SH2, however vehicles will still be able to turn left into or out of Youngson Road.
Road widening is about to start on the Tauranga side of the temporary State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road 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.
In the first phase of works, 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 into or out of Youngson Road.
The temporary roundabout will also be shifted slightly, but this change will be minor and drivers 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.
The second phase will see the northbound lane (vehicles heading towards Katikati) 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 also likely to take up to six weeks, and Youngson Road residents will be contacted closer to the time to let them know what to expect.
“The works have been carefully staged, and we’re working hard to minimise disruption and keep people moving while construction is underway,” says Annelie Badenhorst, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Infrastructure Growth and Delivery Manager.
“This road widening is a key step in delivering the State Highway 2 / Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade. While there will be some short-term changes to traffic flow, it’s all part of getting us to a safer, more efficient network that supports growth in Ōmokoroa and the wider District.”
The temporary ‘painted’ roundabout was put in place in February and is a smaller and simpler version of the final road layout.
It will remain in place, with adjustments as necessary, until the State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade has been completed in mid-2026.
The State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade is a minimum 10-year interim solution to address the immediate needs of the intersection, until funding becomes available to build a full interchange.
Once completed, it 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.
For more information on the State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa Road intersection upgrade visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/state-highway-2-omokoroa-road-intersection-upgrade
