The NZTA has taken the next step towards completing the new Hairini Link/ Welcome Bay Underpass, lodging a Notice of Requirement with Tauranga City Council to designate the land required to construct the project.
When completed, the underpass will improve safety, reduce journey times and make the movement of freight more efficient along SH 29.
The Notice of Requirement (NoR) is required to be lodged before progress on the design and construction can be finalised. The NoR is a formal request by the NZTA to Tauranga City Council to identify the land needed for the Hairini Link project in the council's district plan.
NZTA Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the project will involve construction of an underpass at the Maungatapu roundabout linking State Highway 2A with Welcome Bay Road. The project will see a new bridge and intersection constructed over the Kaitemako Stream area. A considerable amount of earthworks will be involved to build the underpass structure at the Maungatapu roundabout. The Hairini Link project construction phase is expected to take approximately three years to complete.
Mr Gliddon says the NZTA have been working closely with the Tauranga City Council in preparation to lodge the Notice of Requirement and the agency will continue to do so through the designation and consenting process.