Motorists are advised that as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Tauranga Eastern Link project, there will be traffic changes taking place along State Highway 2 at Te Maunga near the Bay Park stadium.
These traffic changes are required to allow construction to start on the Tauranga Eastern Link's southbound lanes and to complete the new residential access road, Te Maunga Lane.
The first stage of the traffic changes, the closure of the State Highway 2 southbound slip lane at Te Maunga roundabout, took place at the end of July. This slip lane will be re‑opened when the new southbound lanes are completed later in 2013.
The second stage of the traffic changes will occur this weekend when all north and south bound State Highway 2 traffic at Te Maunga is moved on to the new section of road (approximately 1km in length) adjacent to the railway.
Commencing Sunday afternoon 11 August through until early Monday morning 12 August, temporary traffic management will be in place on State Highway 2. Motorists are advised to take extra care and to follow all detours in the area during this time.
Coinciding with the traffic switch, two new residential access lanes, Te Maunga Lane and Oceandowns Way, will open on Monday 12 August as all direct access onto and off State Highway 2 by residents will be permanently closed. Access to these properties will be from either Gloucester Road or Eversham Road. All residents, visitors and service vehicles will be required to use the new access lanes.
Motorists are advised to drive with care and to expect delays as traffic adjusts to the new road layout. This work is weather dependent, and if wet, the work will be undertaken on the next suitable day.
The NZTA thanks motorists for their patience and ongoing co-operation while construction on the Tauranga Eastern Link project continues.
Keep up-to-date with developments at www.nzta.govt.nz/tel(external link)
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 2016.
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)
