Construction has begun on two teardrop roundabouts either side of the Waiōtahe River Bridge on State Highway 2.

The work is the final stage of New Zealand Transport Agency’s SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project, which included the Matekerepu roundabout at the intersection with Wainui Road.

Funding of $10 million for the two roundabouts currently under construction was announced by Transport Minister Chris Bishop in May last year.

Located on a sweeping curve, the intersections of SH2 with Ōhiwa Beach Road and Waiotahe Valley Back Road, either side of the Waiotahe River Bridge, are considered by NZTA to be high-risk.

Between 2014 and 2023 two fatalities, one serious injury, and three minor injuries occurred on the sweeping curve, which has intersections either side of the bridge.

A site blessing was held late last year at the intersection of the highway with Ōhiwa Beach Road.