The Bay's largest roading project was celebrated in community fashion as cyclists, runners and families set out on the brand new Tauranga Eastern Link which they had all to themselves.
The road was first welcomed by cyclists and families who trekked 15 kilometres of smooth tar seal highway as early as 6am this morning.
The community day event allowed people to enjoy the new stretch of road by foot or bike ahead of its official opening day to traffic on Monday.
The crowd set out from the Domain Rd interchange and looped their way back.
Initially, the community day was scheduled to kick-off about 8am, however a New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson said by 8.15, about 300 people had set out to enjoy the new highway.