The objectives of the Tauranga Eastern Link project are to:
- support the managed growth for the area;
- improve efficiency and contribute to economic development through improved travel time;
- provide a more direct route to the Port of Tauranga;
- provide a safer route between Tauranga and Paengaroa.
The project will deliver many benefits, including:
- safer and easier travel
- reduced travel times between Tauranga and Paengaroa
- more efficient connections for business, industry and tourism
- support regional growth
- generate jobs and a flow-on effect into the local economy in the form of wages and salaries.
- Four lanes, two in each direction, providing a safer and more direct route between Tauranga to Paengaroa.
- Central median barrier.
- New intersections for Sandhurst Drive, Domain Road and Paengaroa junction (SH2/33).
- New overbridge for Parton and underpass for Maketu Roads.
- Urban design incorporating extensive landscaping.
- Electronic free-flow tolling system.
- 21km four lane wire rope median-divided highway.
- Over three million cubic metres of earthworks.
- Seven bridges.
- Approximately 550,000 square metres of new road.
- Approximately 300,000 native plants to be planted.
Construction of the Tauranga Eastern Link started in 2010 and it is expected to take five years, depending on soil and weather conditions. All going well, it will be open to traffic in late 2015.