Tauranga City Council welcomes the government’s announcement that proposed plans for major transport upgrades in Tauriko West have received the green light to move forward.
During a visit to Tauranga yesterday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has endorsed the Tauriko West Road of National Significance investment case so it can proceed to the next stage.
The project includes replacing Ōmanawa Bridge, construction of a new four-lane State Highway 29 and the widening of existing State Highway 29A, along with seven intersection upgrades, including three new interchanges and two overbridges.
Speaking at the Minister’s announcement, Tauriko Ward Councillor Marten Rozeboom said the endorsement of the investment case is a positive move for the city and region.
“These upgrades are exactly what our region needs to support economic growth and housing development in Tauranga and the western Bay of Plenty,” said Councillor Rozeboom.
“Improvements to this roading corridor will help relieve congestion on the main route to and from New Zealand’s largest port, and improve access to the Tauriko Business Estate, which is experiencing commercial, industrial and employment growth.
“The transport upgrades will also help unlock the development of more, much-needed houses in Tauriko West and the wider Western Corridor over the coming decades.
“Today’s announcement gives council and the private sector confidence to continue to invest in core infrastructure and accelerate housing and business development, which in turn will help to address Tauranga’s acute housing shortage and affordability issues.”
The Tauriko West project will integrate with the Tauriko Enabling Works which are currently underway to improve safety at intersections of SH29 with Redwood Lane, Belk Road and Cambridge Road, and enable the development of the first 2,400 homes in Tauriko West.
More information about the Tauriko West project can be found on NZTA’s website.
While in Tauranga yesterday, Minister Bishop also visited the Pāpāmoa East Interchange (PEI) site to show his support for the early opening of the eastbound off-ramp.
The off-ramp is expected to open in the second half of 2025, with the overall project due to be completed in 2026.
Once complete, the interchange will alleviate pressure on existing routes and shorten travel time towards Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and destinations in the east, as well as enabling further development in Pāpāmoa East, including the Golden Sands and Wairākei neighbourhoods and The Sands town centre.
For more information about the Pāpāmoa East Interchange project, head to our project webpage.
From left to right: Tauriko Ward Councillor Marten Rozeboom, NZTA Project Director Andrew Wharekawa-Smith, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford and Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell - at the SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout construction site.