Tauranga Eastern Link: Major beam lift for Pāpāmoa East Interchange - full road closure over four nights

A new bridge over the Tauranga Eastern Link at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange will be installed this month. Photo / Tauranga City Council

Twelve concrete beams will be lifted into place to form a connection across the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road this month.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) described this step as a “major milestone” for the Pāpāmoa East Interchange.

The beam lift is scheduled to take place over four nights, between 8pm and 5am, from August 19 to August 23.

“To ensure people’s safety, State Highway 2 will be closed between Domain Rd Interchange and the SH2/SH33 Paengaroa roundabout,” the roading agency said.

A detour via Te Puke Highway will be in place for all vehicles.

Once complete, the bridge will feature 12 locally cast Te Puke beams, each spanning 33 metres in length and weighing approximately 70 tonnes.

Construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange began in mid-2022.

The milestone marks another significant step towards the bridge’s scheduled opening in mid-2026, which will connect neighbourhoods in Pāpāmoa East to the Tauranga Eastern Link toll road and SH2, NZTA said.

The eastbound off-ramp of the new interchange was due to open this month and was expected to ease evening traffic heading to the suburb.

The interchange cost $100 million and is 51% NZTA-funded.

NZTA has opened consultation on adding a second gantry to charge drivers using SH2 between Domain Rd and the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange.