Work to repair a slip below Ōropi Road will begin from Monday, 6 July. Road users are urged to plan ahead and expect delays while construction is underway.
The project will stabilise the road shoulder between the SH29A roundabout and Maleme Street, preventing further deterioration and protecting a critical transport route. This will involve building a 60m long, 6m high rock wall, down to the Waiorohi Stream, to secure the bank.
The work has been carefully staged to help minimise disruption. This includes scheduling the most disruptive phase during the school holidays (6–19 July) to reduce impact to peak commuter and school traffic.
The city-bound lane (north) will remain open at all times, and construction will be staged across multiple phases to maintain access where possible.
Traffic management and what to expect
Traffic management will be in place throughout the project, with the most significant lane closure during the first two weeks:
- Monday 6 – Sunday 19 July (school holidays):
- Ōropi-bound (south) lane closed 24/7 between Maleme Street and SH29A
- Detour for Ōropi-bound traffic via Chadwick Road and Cameron Road
- Temporary traffic lights in place and 30km/h speed restrictions through the work site
- Maleme Street and Ōropi Road north of the closure remain open in both direction.
- Monday 20 July through August:
- Both lanes open with reduced speed limits in place
- Late August/September:
- Night-time Ōropi-bound (south) lane closures for final road works
Delays are expected on Ōropi Road and surrounding routes, including along SH29A.
Learnings from earlier closure
During site investigations in late April, a full road closure for one day caused widespread disruption across the network, with congestion stretching from Baypark to Tauriko.
While this next phase uses a lane closure rather than a full closure, pressure on the network is expected. Drivers travelling along SH29A are strongly encouraged to check live traffic maps before heading out, allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible, including Hewletts Road, Turret Road, or SH29 Takitimu Drive.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we carry out these essential works and make the road secure again.
More information: www.tauranga.govt.nz/OropiSlip
