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With the start of the final phase of construction, you’ll soon see the interchange itself take shape. This phase of the project includes the construction of:
- The abutments and interchange itself
- On- and off-ramps
- The Sands Avenue connection, between the bridge and the new intersection at Te Okuroa Drive
- All waters infrastructure.
To mark the start of this phase, a small ceremony was held on 2 May 2024, with representatives from all partners and contributors on the project. Read more about Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction moves into final phase.
Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction
Tauranga is growing and changing fast. The Pāpāmoa area is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 years, increasing to around 40,000 by 2043. Supporting this growth means we need to build additional infrastructure, including transport options.
We are committed to developing ‘liveable communities’ that ensure people are optimally connected to the places they live, learn, work and play.
To unlock development at Pāpāmoa East and allow further growth at Golden Sands and Wairākei, we are constructing a new interchange at the eastern end of Te Okuroa Drive, to provide more direct access to the motorway.
This interchange will enable faster travel between neighbourhoods in Pāpāmoa East and Tauranga City Centre, Mount Maunganui and other destinations for people choosing to travel by car. It will also provide a more direct connection to the Rangiuru Business Park once that is operational.
The interchange is being constructed across the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TEL TR)/ State Highway 2 (SH2), east of the Wairākei neighbourhood, linking Te Okuroa Drive and future The Sands Avenue. Construction started in July 2022 and the interchange is expected to open by mid-2026.
Construction will continue to have some impacts on traffic on the TEL TR – reduced speed and lane closures will apply when necessary to keep drivers and construction crew safe.
Why is this important?
Over the past few years, development in Pāpāmoa East has increased pressure on Tara Road as the main connection to SH2. The new interchange will provide residents in the area with an alternative route and enable continued development. The Pāpāmoa East / Wairākei area is identified in the SmartGrowth strategy as a priority development area to provide over 2000 additional homes over the next 30 years.
Partners
This project is a collaboration between Tauranga City Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency with support from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. The work is guided by designers Bloxam Burnett & Olliver (BBO) and construction is in the hands of HEB Construction Ltd.
We are also working with our iwi partners Te Kapu o Waitaha, Tapuika Iwi Authority, Ngā Pōtiki a Tamapahore Trust and Te Rununga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū. This partnership includes capturing and documenting stories from tangata whenua that relate to the area and its history, cultural monitoring during earth works and incorporation of cultural design elements and artwork.
Construction phases
Construction of the interchange commenced in April 2022, and has been split into three phases.
The first phase, Enabling Earthworks, involved creating a nine-metre high embankment to form the westbound (Tauranga) exit and entry ramps, installing three culverts and culvert extensions, as well as installing flexible safety barriers and widening the southern side of the Tauranga Eastern Link. Earthworks to build a stormwater retention pond, swales and connecting drains were also completed during this phase, which was completed in mid-2023.
The second phase, the Te Okuroa Drive and The Sands Avenue Intersection, was completed in early 2024. Construction in this phase included a signalised intersection, the continuation of four lanes east from Te Okuroa Drive to The Sands Avenue, as well as a shared bi-directional cycleway, footpaths, traffic islands, street lighting, traffic signals and utilities. Water infrastructure, including some trunk water mains, wastewater trunk mains and stormwater reticulation has been implemented, as has CCTV cameras and associated cabling for these.
The final phase, Construction of the Interchange, as well as the section of The Sands Avenue leading north to the intersection with Te Okuroa Drive is now underway. We expect this will be completed in mid-2026.
Location
The interchange will be constructed over the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (SH2), east of Wairākei neighbourhood, linking Te Okuroa Drive and future The Sands Avenue.
Phasing plan of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange
Traffic impacts on the Tauranga Eastern Link
To keep drivers and crew safe during construction alongside the motorway, a 2km section of the outer lanes in both directions will be closed.
This closure will remain for the duration of construction, and speed in the work section will be reduced to 70km/h.
