Tauranga City Council is pleased to announce the partial opening of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange tomorrow (Tuesday, 26 August), enabling use of the eastbound off-ramp for motorists.
The new off-ramp will provide access to Pāpāmoa East from the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, while construction of the wider interchange continues before it fully opens next year.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the off-ramp is opening nine months ahead of schedule which is a fantastic result and a great example of councils and central government working together for the benefit of the community.
“Together, we achieved a great, pragmatic outcome for the people of Tauranga, and I thank everyone for saying ‘yes’ and getting this done,” says Mahé.
Pāpāmoa Ward Councillor Steve Morris agrees having the off-ramp open from tomorrow is a win for the local community.
“Use of the off-ramp will have an immediate and positive impact on traffic flows along the Domain Road and Tara Road interchange. This will be felt by all Pāpāmoa residents and allow everyone to get to their destination quicker.”
Councillor Morris emphasises that use of the off-ramp is through an active construction site which means it comes with restrictions on speed and a duty of extra care on drivers.
From 26 August, drivers who want to access Pāpāmoa East can travel along State Highway 2 (the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road) and exit via the Pāpāmoa East Interchange off-ramp.
Signage will indicate a reduced speed of 50km/h when travelling through an active construction site. The journey continues via the western side of Te Okuroa Drive only – all other access points to/from the interchange remain closed until completion.
The other three ramps will remain closed until completion. The eastbound on-ramp facilitates construction traffic and activity as part of ongoing interchange construction, and the westbound ramps are dependent on the completion of the bridge itself.
Consultation on proposed tolling for the use of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange by project partner NZTA closes this Thursday, 28 August 2025. More information on the proposal and a link to the consultation is available at nzta.govt.nz/teltolling.
As the off-ramp at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange is opening early, NZTA has proposed a toll-free period of 12 months, for users of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road between the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and the Domain Road Interchange. Normal tolls apply to drivers using the full Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road.
To find out more about the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and partial opening, visit https://letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/pei
