Construction Set To Begin This Month On The New Wainui Road Roundabout

SH2/ Wainui Road Intersection - Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency

Announced by NZTA last week, construction for a new roundabout at the Wainui Road intersection on State Highway 2—located between Awakeri and Ōpōtiki—is set to begin this April.The roundabout aims to improve safety and traffic flow for both light vehicles and freight traveling through the area.

In preparation, enabling works have been taking place over the past few weeks in the Matekerepu area to ensure the site is ready for construction crews. This includes preparing plans for vegetation clearing, which will begin in the coming weeks.

The project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete, meaning road users can expect delays, traffic management, and temporary speed limits during this time. However, the transport agency has assured the community that they will be kept informed of any changes as the project progresses.

The worksite has been officially blessed by Te Ūpokorehe, and the project has received positive feedback from the local community, with many expressing that the roundabout is long overdue and will make them feel safer on the roads.

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