Major transport projects hitting the mark

The Pāpāmoa East Interchange is under construction. Photo / Tauranga City Council

On time, on budget and being delivered safely.

That was the message to Tauranga City Council’s city future committee yesterday on the progress of some of the council’s five major transport projects either under way or in the planning stages.

Construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange over the Tauranga Eastern Link, which is aimed at improving travel for the Pāpāmoa East community and enabling further development of the area, is on track to be completed next year with one of the northern (eastbound) exit/entry ramps being considered for early opening this year, the council said in a statement released today.

Forecasts also show an opportunity for $5 million to be saved on the cost of the project, which is budgeted for $79.3m in the long-term plan.

There had been more than 80,000 worker hours on site to date without any serious harm incidents, committee chairman Rod Taylor said. .

“This is exactly what we’re looking for – projects that are going to improve the social and economic wellbeing of our communities while offering value for money for our ratepayers and ensuring that our workers go home safe to their families every day,” Taylor said.

Tauriko and SH29

The Tauriko Enabling Works project, which is being led by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) in partnership with the council, is also on track to be completed in early 2027.

The project will enable development of up to 2400 new homes in Tauriko West and will support continued development of more than 100ha of industrial land in the Tauriko Business Estate, expected to provide up to 6000 more jobs in the city.

Work is now under way at both the Redwood Lane and Tauriko Village/Cambridge Rd sites that intersect with State Highway 29, with more than 120,000 worker hours so far without any serious harm incidents.

People travelling through the area can expect to drive through the new roundabout at Redwood Lane, in a temporary layout, in early May.

“As well as the significant economic benefits that will come to our city through these works, we will see improved resilience on our busy transport network and safety upgrades that will reduce the likelihood of death and serious injury accidents on SH29,” Taylor said.

15th Ave project

Planning for the 15th Ave to Welcome Bay project is full steam ahead following the NZTA decision in February to co-fund the next stage.

The next step is to confirm the structural capacity of the Hairini Bridge. The community will have another opportunity to give feedback as the design, which includes a three-lane tidal flow system over the Hairini Bridge, progresses.

Cameron Rd Stage 2

Funding is the hot topic for the other two projects in the major projects portfolio – Cameron Rd Stage 2 and Connecting Mount Maunganui – both of which missed out on NZTA co-funding in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

Alternative funding options are being explored for Cameron Rd Stage 2, which proposes both transport and waters upgrades to prepare for increasing population growth on Te Papa peninsula and the western area of the city.

A report on this is planned to come back to the city future committee in May.

The committee resolved at yesterday’s meeting to also further explore external funding opportunities to advance the next phases of the Connecting Mount Maunganui project – which proposes improved safety and access to, from and through State Highway 2/Hewletts Rd, Totara St and Maunganui Rd – with a goal of having a detailed business case ready by early 2027 to support funding prioritisation in the 2027-30 NLTP.

Another report on this is expected to come back to the committee in July.

The council said Connecting Mount Maunganui is included as a priority project in the recent City and Regional Deals proposal to the Government and a submission is also being prepared for the project to be included on the NZ Infrastructure Commission’s Infrastructure Priorities Programme and National Infrastructure Plan.