Work wraps up at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Rd roundabout
Construction of the roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa Road 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. For updates on the ongoing work, see yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz.
Funding
The roundabout and associated interim works represent an estimated $20–24 million of the overall $43 million SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road upgrade. This includes construction of the SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road roundabout, and four-laning into Ōmokoroa.
The wider project is supported by significant Crown investment. Council was allocated $38 million from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, originally administered by Kāinga Ora on behalf of the Crown, now managed by the National Infrastructure Funding and Finance. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is also contributing $5 million toward the upgrade, as well as providing land valued at $1.49 million.
Designed as an interim solution with a 10–15 year lifespan, the upgrade will operate until future connections to Takitimu North Link Stage 2 are confirmed.
