Te Moana-a-Toi – Bay of Plenty 2023 update

With a focus on supporting economic growth, a safer and more resilient transport system, and responding to the needs of a growing population with better travel options, $1.5 billion is forecast to be invested in the Bay of Plenty in the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

The role of transport varies across the Bay of Plenty with three distinct sub-regions that have different needs. They all require strong partnerships with local government, tangata whenua and key stakeholders to plan and deliver integrated transport outcomes.

Apart from tourism, the local economy is largely reliant on export industries, such as agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The Port of Tauranga is critical for New Zealand’s economic growth.

Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty

Together with key partners, Waka Kotahi has committed to developing a refreshed, coordinated and aligned approach to key issues across the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region – finding answers for housing capacity, intensification, improving transport options and network capacity.

Completed in the last 12 months

• The SH2 Bayfair flyover opened to traffic in April 2023, taking traffic over the Bayfair roundabout and making it safer for everyone by separating local and state highway traffic.

Underway or about to start

• The Tauriko Network Connections enabling works detailed design was completed and consents lodged. Development of the construction programme has started, with work expected to begin in late 2023/early 2024. The Tauriko Network Connections Detailed Business Case for future transport improvements is expected to be approved in August 2023.
• Construction of the $150m SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements continued, with six of the 10 sections completed. Work continues to install flexible median barriers and six roundabouts by 2026.
• Work continued on the $262m SH2 Baypark to Bayfair Link, including construction of the Truman Lane walkway, walking and cycling connections, the ramp approaching SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange from Pāpāmoa, and SH2 road under the interchange.
• Work has started on an Indicative Business Case for accessibility improvements on SH2 Hewletts Road, a nationally strategic corridor.
• Tauranga City Council continued earthworks as part of the first stage of construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange over the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road. Stage 2, Te Okuroa Drive extension is expected to finish in early 2024. The entire project is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Tourism is essential to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, including attractions around Whakatāne and further east towards and beyond Ōpōtiki. Areas such as Te Urewera, while already important tourism locations, are the focus of investigations to understand future opportunities. This work is progressing collaboratively with Ngāi Tūhoe, the Whakatāne and Wairoa district councils and Waka Kotahi.

Completed in the last 12 months

• Detailed design and consultation for safety improvements along SH30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne was completed in early 2023. The project includes flexible median safety barriers and roundabouts.
• In addition to the proposed infrastructure upgrades, safe and appropriate speeds along SH30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne were implemented in August 2023.

Underway or about to start

• Detailed design work on the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements continues, focusing on high-risk intersections.

Rotorua

Rotorua’s eastern corridor is a key transport route, serving both inter-regional and local traffic. Waka Kotahi and Rotorua Lakes Council have looked at the best ways to future-proof the city’s transport network to improve safety, unlock growth and development opportunities, and boost wellbeing within the community.

Underway or about to start

• The SH30 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa safety improvement project is in its final stage, with work underway on the last section – the southern side of the Sun Valley Curves. This project is expected to be finished later in 2023.
• Construction started on the first phase of the Crown Infrastructure Programme funded SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two. This $35m investment is addressing safety and connectivity with the Stage One improvements, while accommodating for future growth and providing better travel choices.
• Work is underway on a $6.4m investment in safety improvements at the SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction. We’re making the busy intersection safer and creating a new right-turn bay for SH30 traffic turning into Rangiteaorere Road.

NZ Upgrade Programme

The NZ Upgrade Programme (NZUP) for the Bay of Plenty is delivering improved safety and will support continued growth of the area.

• Improving safety is at the heart of the Takitimu North Link project, which is a key strategic transport corridor for the region, providing greater travel choice with managed lanes, and a shared path for walking and cycling. NZUP has provided funding to build Stage One, the new 6.8km four-lane road connecting SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road through to SH2 west of Te Puna. Construction started in 2022 with work to build five of the eight bridges underway.
• The SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā safety improvements, including the SH36/SH5 roundabout, were funded by the regional package of New Zealand Upgrade Programme. The $14m project was completed mid-2022.

Funding overview

View larger image [PDF, 1.4 MB]