The 15th Ave to Welcome Bay project aims to reduce congestion on Turret Rd in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak
The 15th Ave to Welcome Bay project aims to reduce congestion on Turret Rd in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak
Structural and seismic investigations on the Hairini Bridge are under way to determine the expected remaining useful life of the bridge and the seismic capacity of the bridge and piers.
The investigations, expected to be completed by mid-2026, were part of the 15th Ave to Welcome Bay project andaimed to reduce congestion on Turret Rd in Tauranga.
This phase has an estimated cost of $10.3m, of which NZTA would fund 51%, a statement from Tauranga City Council today said.
HEB Construction and Beca would lead and collaborate on the design process to ensure construction methods were considered early, with a plan to minimise disruption to the community during construction.
Tauranga City Council senior project manager Chris Farnsworth said the early contractor involvement model allowed for better cost control, improved collaboration, risk reduction, faster delivery, and enhanced quality.
“It also encourages innovation and transparency by involving the contractor early in the decision-making process, making it ideal for complex or large projects,” Farnsworth said.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale said Tauranga City Council was pleased to be moving forward on the key project.
“This transport corridor is the primary link connecting the Welcome Bay, Hairini, Ohauiti and Maungatapu communities to their jobs, schools, social, and cultural activities.
“As well as reducing congestion, the project will improve transport choice by providing improved walking and cycling facilities and help to improve social wellbeing and connectivity. More efficient movement of both people and goods also leads to improved productivity and economic growth so it’s a win-win for everyone in Tauranga,” Drysdale said.
HEB Construction senior project manager Brian Fuller said the company was excited to get started on the 15th Ave to Welcome Bay improvements.
“Being chosen to deliver this project alongside Tauranga City Council and Beca is a fantastic opportunity for our team. At HEB Construction, we’re proud to continue working with the Council and contributing to the Bay of Plenty community in this vibrant, growing region.
“We will work collaboratively from day one to minimise disruption, introduce innovative solutions and deliver smart, safe, and resilient infrastructure that benefits the community.”
Structural and seismic investigations on the Hairini Bridge were planned to be completed by mid-2026.
Once that information was available, full design would get underway. The community would have an opportunity to provide feedback before construction starts (currently planned for mid-2027 if further funding is approved by NZTA).
Proposed 15th Ave to Welcome Bay project
Completing four-laning of 15th Ave from Cameron Rd to Burrows St, one lane in each direction for general traffic and one high occupancy lane (T2) for vehicles with two or more passengers, including buses
Intersection improvements on 15th Ave, including new signalised crossings, and shared walking and cycling facilities
Three-laning of Hairini Bridge and causeway, including a tidal flow system, which means there could be two lanes of traffic going into the city in the morning, changing to two lanes going out of the city in the afternoon
A clip-on shared-use path on Hairini Bridge for walking and cycling;
Resilience improvements to the Hairini Bridge and causeway
New traffic signals at the intersection of Welcome Bay Rd and James Cook Drive
Mini roundabout at the intersection of James Cook Drive and Victory St
Renewals and upgrades to water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure along the corridor
