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Community
We are now starting Phase 3 of construction, in which you’ll see the interchange itself take shape. This third and final phase of the project includes the construction of:
- The abutments and interchange
- All on and offramps
- The Sands Avenue connection between the bridge and the new intersection at Te Okuroa Drive
- All waters infrastructure.
To mark the occasion of 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.
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.
Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction
Tauranga is growing and changing fast. The coastal fringe is expected to grow significantly over the next 40 years, reaching up to 30,000 people by 2060. This includes more people and more traffic to get people to where they want to go.
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 will be constructing a new interchange at the eastern end of Te Okuroa Drive, to provide access to the motorway.
This interchange will enable faster travel between neighbourhoods in Pāpāmoa East and Tauranga city centre, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke for people choosing to travel by car. It will also provide a connection to the Rangiuru Business Park once that is operational.
The intersection will be constructed across the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road/State Highway 2 (SH2), east of the Wairākei neighbourhood, linking Te Okuroa Drive and future The Sands Avenue. Earthworks to prepare for construction started in July 2022 and the interchange is scheduled to be ready for use 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.
Artists impression of the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange
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 further development in Pāpāmoa East which helps support Tauranga’s growth. The Pāpāmoa East Interchange will ensure the community is connected to opportunities to live and work within parameters as defined by Smartgrowth’s UFTI.
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 and cultural monitoring during the early phases of earth works.
Construction stages
As some of the construction site is on farmland, which was part of the Kaituna wetlands, we need to allow nine months for earthworks settlement. This work started in July 2022. Construction of the interchange itself is likely to commence in late-2023 and conclude early 2026.
Phase 1
Earth works have now been completed. This phase included:
- A nine metre high embankment – forming the westbound (Tauranga) exit and entry ramps of the interchange
- Installing three culverts, including one under the Tauranga Eastern Link, and culvert extensions
- Installing flexible safety barriers and widening the southern side of Tauranga Eastern Link
- Earthworks to build a stormwater retention pond, swales and connecting drains
Phase 2
This phase of the project was completed early 2024 and included construction of:
- The Te Okuroa and The Sands Avenue signalized intersection
- Te Okuroa Drive 4 lanes continuation (east) to intersection
- Shared bi-directional cycleway, footpaths, traffic islands/refuges, stormwater, street lighting, traffic signals and utilities
- Trunk water main to service Wairākei and Te Tumu
- Stormwater reticulation and culverts facilitating improved drainage
- Wastewater trunk main to service Te Tumu
- CCTV cameras and associated fibre cable/ducting
Phase 3
The current phase incudes the construction of the interchange itself as well as the section of The Sands Avenue leading north to the intersection with Te Okuroa Drive.
Phase three covers construction of:
- The abutments and interchange
- All on and offramps
- The Sands Avenue connection between the bridge and the new intersection at Te Okuroa Drive
- All waters infrastructure
Construction for this phase is in the hands of HEB Construction Ltd and work is scheduled to conclude mid-2026.
Location
The intersection will be constructed over the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (SH2), east of Wairākei neighbourhood, linking Te Okuroa Drive and future Sands Avenue.
