It's the road you build before you build the road. The appearance of trucks and bulldozers signal that work is progressing on building the Tauranga Eastern Link's construction roads, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says.
Andrew Scott, the NZTA’s Tauranga Eastern Link Principal Project Manager says construction roads will be built along the whole length of the project site to reduce the number of heavy vehicles using local roads.
“We’re committed to maximising safety and minimising disruption for local residents as we build the Tauranga Eastern Link. As well as providing easier access to the site for construction traffic, these temporary routes will also greatly reduce the amount of heavy construction traffic on local roads. This reduces congestion and safety risks associated with having an increased number of heavy vehicles on the roads.”
“The construction road for the Domain to Parton Road section of the Tauranga Eastern Link will require about 2,200 truck loads carrying approximately 40,000 cubic metres of rock material from the Poplar Lane quarry to the Domain Road end of the site,” says Mr Scott.
“Weather permitting, it will take approximately two months to build this section of construction road. During this time, large truck and trailers will be entering the site through the Domain Road roundabout onto Tara Road so we encourage motorists to take extra care when travelling through the area.”
In March, construction started on the first section of construction road from Pah Road to the eastern side of the Kaituna River. Once this is completed, ground improvement work will get underway for the 150 metre long Kaituna River bridge.
The NZTA thanks road users for their patience and cooperation during the works.
Keep up-to-date with developments at www.nzta.govt.nz/tel(external link)
Editor’s notes
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 NZTA 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)
