The busy intersection of State Highway 5 (SH5) and State Highway 28 (SH28) Harwoods Road, east of Tīrau, will be made safer with the construction of a 3-leg roundabout, set to begin soon.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the new roundabout will significantly improve safety at this location.

The current T-intersection has a poor safety record, with one fatal crash and 17 serious injury crashes in the past 10 years.

Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday 18 August, with traffic expected to be flowing through the roundabout by March 2026. Some closures of SH28 (Harwoods Road) at the work site may be required at the end of spring. Detour routes and closure dates will be communicated once confirmed.

“This roundabout is one of several safety improvements planned for the stretch of SH5 between Tīrau and Tārukenga Marae Road,” says Andy Oakley, NZTA System Manager Waikato.

SH5 Tīrau to Tārukenga safety improvements(external link)

Waikato & Bay of Plenty state highway works as at 8 August 2025 [PDF, 533 KB]