Motorists abusing, throwing things at road workers on Te Puke Highway, Waka Kotahi says

A map showing where the roadworks are taking place.
A map showing where the roadworks are taking place. Photo credit: Google

Motorists are allegedly threatening road workers and hurling objects at them as they complete work on Bay of Plenty's Te Puke Highway.

According to a statement from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, the behaviour has been reported to the police and CCTV cameras were being installed.

Contractors are working to stabilise the Kaituna riverbank, meaning only one lane is operating on the Te Puke Highway - with a stop/go sign in place for up to three weeks - causing some delays.

"It has come to our attention our crew is getting verbally abused and objects thrown at them from disgruntled people," Waka Kotahi maintenance and operations regional manager Rob Campbell said.

"Our contractor is working hard to complete this work in the shortest time possible and while we realise delays can be frustrating, this behaviour will not be accepted."

Waka Kotahi said the safety of its crew was paramount and the work must be completed immediately.

"We're asking people who travel through the site to be respectful of the stop/go crew and be patient," the agency said. Crews were working hard to minimise delays where possible, Waka Kotahi said.

"This team is working hard to keep traffic flowing while the bank stabilising is underway," it said.

"They also have the right to feel safe and to go home to their loved ones afterward."