New ways of travelling ahead at Bay Link

With the Bay Link project working towards completion later this year, people travelling through the area will see changes to the road layout coming up more frequently.

To minimise impact on traffic flows, traffic switches to put new road layouts in place are undertaken at night. With new road layouts requiring changes to the way people travel, delays are to be expected and people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area while everyone gets used to the new layouts, especially during morning and evening peak times. 

Traffic switches, and the work leading up to them, are carefully sequenced and weather dependent, with asphalting and line marking requiring dry conditions and minimum temperatures. 

The next changes are the opening of the remaining ramp at the State Highway 2 and 29A Te Maunga interchange at Baypark, and a reduction to a single lane in either direction on Girven Road between Bayfair roundabout and the Gloucester Road intersection.  

Opening SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange 

The remaining SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange ramp is scheduled to open to traffic from early tomorrow morning on Tuesday 15 August, weather dependent. There will be changes for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa and SH29A from Maungatapu. 

The traffic switch, including opening the ramp, the commissioning of new traffic lights on Te Maunga interchange and the closure of SH2 northbound underneath the interchange, got underway last night Sunday 13 August.  

Road closures for traffic switch  

The opening of the off-ramp will be staged, with the work required for this traffic switch to take place over four consecutive night shifts. To enable the traffic switch, overnight road closures of SH2 northbound between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will be required.  

The work is currently scheduled to take place from Sunday 13 August to Wednesday 16 August (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night). 

During these hours, SH2/TEL northbound will be fully closed between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. For road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards Bayfair roundabout or the Bayfair flyover, a signposted detour via Mangatawa Link Road, Truman Lane, SH29A roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will apply. This is the same detour that currently applies for road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL to SH29A. 

The new ramp is expected to open to the public under temporary traffic management from early morning on Tuesday 15 August and remain open during daytime hours only (from approximately 6am to 7pm) until the traffic switch is completed, after which it will be open 24/7.   

Temporary changes for road users following traffic switch 

The traffic switch will result in the following temporary changes for road users that are currently scheduled to take effect in the early morning tomorrow, Tuesday 15 August: 

 The remaining off-ramp approaching the interchange from Pāpāmoa will open to traffic. 

• All motorists travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards Mount Maunganui/city centre and towards SH29A/Maungatapu will temporarily use the new ramp up to the signalised interchange. 
• The current SH2 northbound lane under the interchange will close. Southbound SH2 road users will continue using SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange to connect with TEL or SH29A. 
• The existing detour for traffic from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards SH29A/Maungatapu (via Sandhurst Drive, Mangatawa Link Road and Truman Lane) will be removed. 
• For traffic from SH29A/Maungatapu towards the Bayfair roundabout or Bayfair flyover, the left-turning slip lane from the top of the interchange will be replaced by a signalised intersection. 
• The interchange will operate under temporary traffic management with a 50km/h speed limit in place. 

For more information, visit nzta.govt.nz/temaunga(external link) 

Changes to Girven Road 

Traffic switches around Bayfair roundabout and on Girven Road are scheduled from Wednesday 16 August to Friday 18 August 2023 (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night) to enable the next stages of construction to progress.  

While these shifts are underway there will be momentary rolling blocks on Girven Road and around Bayfair roundabout.  

Temporary changes for road users following traffic switches 

The traffic switches will result in the following temporary changes for road users that are currently scheduled to take effect in the early morning on Thursday 17 August:  

• Girven Road will be reduced to a single lane in both directions between Bayfair roundabout and the Gloucester Road intersection to allow for the completion of the central median island.  
• Left in/left out access to Bayfair Shopping Centre’s first entrance after Bayfair roundabout, other local businesses and residents on this section of Girven Road will be retained at all times.  
• When exiting Bayfair Shopping Centre at the signalised Gloucester Road/Girven Road intersection, the right lane only will be able to turn right onto Girven Road. In addition, light vehicles only will be able to turn left out of Bayfair Shopping Centre’s first entrance after Bayfair roundabout.  
• Two lanes in each direction on this section of Girven Road are currently expected to be restored in mid spring.  

People are asked to take extra care when travelling through the interchange and the roundabout as they get used to the new road layouts. Delays are to be expected. 

This work is weather-dependent. If it is delayed because of weather or other unforeseen issues, it will be carried out on the next suitable night/s. 

Waka Kotahi thanks drivers, local residents and business for their patience. 

 Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOct2QS6Dxs(external link)

Animation: Baypark to bayfair interchange animation - long with titles.mp(external link)