The recent wet weather has delayed the scheduled traffic switch onto the new eastbound lanes, between Mangatawa and Domain Road, as part the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) project.
The traffic switch and associated changes at the Kairua Road and State Highway 2 (SH2) intersection, which becomes a permanent left-in and left-out only intersection, will now take place later in April, after Anzac Day.
However, work will still be carried out on this section of highway over the coming weeks. Motorists are asked to continue to drive with care through this area.
Work this week includes:
Tuesday 15th April, all east bound traffic will be moved onto the new lanes during the day, with a temporary speed restriction of 50 km/h, to allow for the bedding in of the chip seal surface on the new TEL east bound lanes. During this time the SH2/Kairua Road intersection will be temporarily changed to a ‘left in’ and ‘left out’ only intersection.
By 3.30pm each day, traffic will be switched back onto the existing SH2 and the existing layout of the SH2/Kairua Road intersection will be reinstated, until the end of the month.
The NZ Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and on-going co-operation while construction on the TEL project continues.
Editor’s notes
The four-lane Tauranga Eastern Link will run from Te Maunga (near Baypark Stadium) in Tauranga to the existing junction of State Highways 2 and 33 (the Rotorua and Whakatane highways) near Paengaroa. It will be made up of 17km of new road and an upgrade of six kilometres of existing highway. The new highway is expected to open to traffic in late 2015.
The Government has identified seven essential state highway projects linked to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Called the roads of national significance, or RoNS for short, the NZ Transport Agency is charged with delivering this programme of state highway improvements within the next 10 years. The RoNS programme represents one of New Zealand’s biggest ever infrastructure investments and is a key part of the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s Policy Statement for transport.
The seven RoNS projects are based around New Zealand's five largest population centres. The focus is on moving people and freight between and within these centres more safely and efficiently. Other RoNS may be added in future but currently from north to south the seven projects are: Puhoi to Wellsford - SH1, Completing the Western Ring Route, Auckland - SH16, SH18 and SH20, Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland - SH1, Waikato Expressway - SH1, Tauranga Eastern Link - SH2, Wellington Northern Corridor - SH1, Christchurch Motorways. More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/rons(external link).
For more information please contact:
Glenda Dobbyn
Media Manager
Waikato and Bay of Plenty region
NZ Transport Agency
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 021 67217
E: glenda.dobbyn@nzta.govt.nz
