Pāpāmoa East Interchange
Preliminary work has started for the construction of the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange, which will connect neighbourhoods in Pāpāmoa East to the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL)/ State Highway 2 (SH2). Earthworks are underway and will require traffic management on the TEL for the next six months, until March 2023.
During this first phase of work, a nine-metre-high embankment wall will be built, as well as a number of stormwater culverts - in preparation for construction of the interchange, which is scheduled to be operational early 2026.
This work will take place in the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road corridor, on the western side of the Kaituna River bridge. We urge drivers to stick to the speed as signposted, for everyone's safety.
Traffic impacts – August 2022 to March 2023
To allow this work to proceed safely, traffic on the TEL/ SH2 will be impacted for the next six months.
- Ongoing until Monday, 3 October 2022
- Traffic reduced to one lane in both directions
- Speed reduced to 50km/h
- Monday, 3 October 2022 to March 2023
- One westbound lane closed
- Speed reduced to 70km/h
There may be minor traffic delays as a result of this work. As this does not materially impact travel times, tolls will continue to apply.
Drivers will be notified of the work and scheduled changes to driving circumstances by digital signs either side of the worksite.
For more information about the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and construction, visit Pāpāmoa East Interchange.
Links Avenue cul-de-sac trial
The trial is now underway. Infringement of the bus lanes that create the cul-de-sac will result in a fine of $150.
What this means:
A temporary cul-de-sac has been established on Links Avenue, between Solway Place and Concord Avenue. The trial works in a very similar way to the last, but there are some differences. In summary:
- Thoroughfare is limited to emergency vehicles, buses, bikes, motorbikes, rubbish collection trucks, clearly marked taxis and delivery trucks
- The bus lane has been removed
- Reduced speed on Links Avenue to 30km
- The road has been resealed and includes temporary road markings
- The trial will run for at least four months to test the impact on the wider roading network and observe commuting behaviour over time.
For more information on the trial, visit Links Avenue cul-de-sac trial.
Cameron Road
There are a number of construction sites along Cameron Road. Please take care driving through construction zones and be kind to our construction team as they go about their work. If you need help, they are happy to assist people find their way through the site.
The Cameron Road Joint Venture team are now working on the central median replacing and renewing damaged kerbs, from 193 Cameron Road (Fire Station) to Wharf Street, which will see southbound and northbound right lane closures and no right turn to Spring Street from Cameron Road. The team is also working between Elizabeth Street and Second Avenue on the eastern side of Cameron Road, upgrading the stormwater network and footpath. Temporary traffic management is in place, with a southbound left lane closure between Elizabeth Street and Second Avenue. There is also a full closure of the First Avenue intersection with no access to or from Cameron Road while our team is installing a new centre island. Access to First Avenue will be maintained through Devonport Road.
The wastewater upgrade continues between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue, which sees lane closures on both the northbound and southbound lanes. During this period, northbound traffic will be diverted onto the other side of the road, with a single lane operating in each direction. The wastewater upgrade down Sixth Avenue is underway. There will be no access into Sixth Avenue from Cameron Road, a left hand turn out of Sixth Avenue is maintained.
Work on the eastern side of Cameron Road between Ninth and Fifteenth Avenue is progressing well, with the work between Sixth and Ninth Avenue, and Twelfth and Thirteenth Avenue complete for now. Our work zone has extended from Ninth Avenue up to Twelfth Avenue as we continue upgrading the stormwater and streetscape. Vehicle traffic is reduced to one lane on the eastern side in the areas where work is taking place.
Installation of block pavers outside Tauranga Boys College is underway. This will require a one lane closure and is expected to take up to three weeks (weather dependent). The work site on the western side of Cameron Road from Fifteenth Avenue has extended to Twelfth Avenue.
Work on the western side of Cameron Road between Fifteenth Avenue and Twelfth Avenue is underway, upgrading the stormwater system, shared path and driveways.
Intersection work:
- First Avenue (east): closed while works, including the new centre island, are completed, with no through traffic for two months
- Eighth Avenue/Cameron Road (west): closed while stormwater works are completed, with no through traffic until mid-September
- Tenth Avenue/Cameron Road: closed until the end of September
- Fourteenth Avenue/Cameron Road (west): closed while the watermain is replaced with no through traffic until mid-September
- Twelfth Avenue: the centre median is permanently closed to through traffic.
Please note, above works are weather dependent.
Visit Building our future. Cameron Road, Te Papa for more information.
Seismic strengthening at our parking buildings
We are carrying out earthquake-strengthening works on the Elizabeth Street and Spring Street parking buildings. These are precautionary works to reduce the risk to users and the extent of damage that a significant earthquake could cause.
- Elizabeth Street: we are undertaking the construction in stages, with a maximum of 30 parking spaces unavailable at any given time. Traffic will be reduced to one-way on the ramps when the works are carried out on each level.
- Spring Street: works are underway and expected to run until mid-2023. The building will remain operational with a reduced number of parks available at the parking building. Crews are currently working on levels 1, 3 and 5 where parking is impacted. Alternate parking spaces are available nearby at the Elizabeth Street parking building.
Please take care when driving or walking around work sites. There may be some loud noise at times, as well as shaking, dust and minor delays associated with the traffic management in place – apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We recommend people keep their car windows up when in the parking building.
For more information visit Seismic strengthening at our parking buildings.
Maunganui Road safety improvements
Sutherland Avenue to Hinau Street
Safety improvement work continues to take place over several sites in this area over the next few months. We ask drivers to take care when driving through pas the work sites and be patient with staff and other road users.
Maunganui Road lane closure: scheduled for the second half of September
To enable the new roundabouts at Sutherland Avenue, Matai Street and Hinau Street, Maunganui Road will go down to one lane heading towards Mount Maunganui CBD from the second half of September. Traffic coming out of the Mount will be diverted via Totara Street, local/residential traffic can follow Grove Avenue, Oceanview Road and Tay Street. Works are expected to be completed in 12 weeks.
Hinau Street
- Vehicle access to/from Hinau Street from Maunganui Road has reopened to accommodate visitors to the AIMs games. The team has completed the stormwater infrastructure upgrades and roadway reconstruction and will come back later in October for the construction of the roundabout.
- Work replacing footpaths, kerbs and driveways on Maunganui Road opposite Hinau Street has now started.
Puriri Street intersection
- Puriri Street will be reopened before this weekend, Saturday 3 September
- Work is progressing on the off-road shared path in front of the library.
Bain Street
- Stormwater infrastructure upgrades have started at Bain street and implemented a road closure at the entry from Maunganui Road.
- This weekend the road will reopen, to close again on Monday, 12 September for two weeks to renew the kerb and footpath and install new lighting ducts at the intersection of Bain Street and Maunganui Road.
- Traffic is able to divert via Riverton Road or Valley Road.
Matai Street
- Matai Street remains closed for drainage infrastructure upgrades
- The shared footpath has now been completed and grass seed sown along the sides.
Golf Street to Tui Street
- The traffic island between Tui Street and Golf Road are in the final stages of completion.
For more information visit Maunganui Road safety improvements.
Totara Street safety upgrade
We’re working on a safer option for people who travel along Totara Street.
Between Hull Road and Kawaka Street (and towards Rata Street)
- Work continues, Monday to Friday between 6am and 4pm. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained with speed restrictions in place.
Waimarie Street
- Work continues in this section on the shared path and left turn lane.
Matai Street (towards Rata Street)
- Pavement work continues on the port side of Totara Street. In order to safely facilitate this work there will be traffic management in place and two lanes of traffic maintained at all times.
Nikau Crescent (off Rata Street) road closure
- Work on footpath reconstruction and speed bump installation continues with a partial closure at the corner of Nikau Crescent and Rata Street in place.
Rata Street
- Rata Street, from Totara Street to Nikau Crescent, is closed while underground water testing takes place.
- During the final stages of the project there will be some underground work taking place. This means that a section of Totara Street will be closed at the Rata Street entrance from Wednesday, 14 September for approximately one week.
- There will be alternative routes in place via Maunganui Road, Tawa Street and Puriri Street. Access for emergency services, local businesses and residents will be maintained at all times.
Between Hewletts Road and Hull Road
- Work continues between 7pm and 7am, Sunday to Thursday. Traffic traveling south along Totara Street will be diverted along Maunganui Road until this section of work is complete. Both lanes of traffic will remain open along Totara Street during the day.
Please note: this work is weather dependent.
Looking ahead:
Night works to construct the cycleway between Tasman Quay and Totara Street are scheduled to begin near the end of this project. Between 8pm and 5am traffic will be reduced to one lane. All lanes will remain open from 5am to 8pm.
For more information visit Totara Street safety upgrade.
Watermain upgrades
- SH36, Pyes Pa: the northbound lane of SH36, between the Pyes Pa roundabout and the Kennedy Road roundabout, is closed while watermain and wastewater piping is installed. Northbound traffic on SH36 will be detoured at the Pyes Pa roundabout onto Pyes Pa Road. Traffic will stay on Pyes Pa Road towards Barkes Corner and can reconnect to SH36/ Takitimu Drive via SH29A. Work is estimated to be completed by mid October, weather dependent.
Mount Maunganui works
- Victoria Road, Pacific Avenue, Salisbury Avenue, Crane Street, Carysfort Street, Links Avenue, Solway Place, Taupo Avenue, Mount Maunganui: works continue with completion is estimated for late September.
- Waitui Grove and Justine Way: works started this week and expected to be completed by late September.
There may be minor delays with traffic management in place and construction noise expected Monday to Friday between 7am and 4.30pm.
Traffic report
City centre
- 2 Devonport Road: please take care when walking past the demolition site in this area. There will be footpath detours and some car park closures over the coming months.
38 Elizabeth Street: temporary traffic lights have been installed near the Grey Street roundabout. Traffic lights will come on to manage construction-related vehicles entering and exiting the construction site outside Farmers.
Beyond the city centre
- Waimapu Pa Road, Hairini: wastewater renewal works continue on weekdays between 7.30am and 4.30pm. Normal construction noise is expected and a two-way stop/go will be in place while works occurs on the eastbound berm of Waimapu Pa Road. Works are expected to be completed mid December.
- Turret Road Reserve: the reserve and carpark remains closed while contractors install stairs to improve access and public safety. There will be no access to the reserve with fencing and traffic management in place. Works are expected to be completed early September.
- Opal Drive to Beachwater Drive, Pāpāmoa: construction of a wastewater pipeline continues in the Wairākei Reserve. Potholing works have begun along Opal Drive with small footpath closures expected. The walkway behind Fashion Island remains closed. The track closure between Domain Road and Opal Drive has an alternative route available on the other side of the stream until works are completed. Access from Opal Drive to Te Akau a Ki school will remain open for the duration of the works. Traffic management will be in place and works are scheduled for completion December 2022. Please note: a road closure of Opal Drive is scheduled from Monday, 3 until Sunday, 16 October during the school holidays while works commence to install the pipeline across the road.
For more information visit Opal Drive wastewater pipeline upgrade Pāpāmoa.
For more information check out our Weekly bulletin.