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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Harbour Link Project?
What will it include in Stage 1 and Stage 2?
Why is the project needed?
Will the improvements help to reduce congestion in Tauranga?
What is happening on Hewletts Rd and the bridge approaches?
Will the new Harbour Link bridge be tolled?
Has Transit needed to obtain any land?
What will be done to reduce the effects of construction in the area?
How much will the project cost?
What consultation has been done with the community?
When will construction start?
Will I still be able to use the existing bridge during construction?
How will the project affect the Harbour Bridge marina?
Will land need to be reclaimed?
Will there be provisions for buses?
Will there be provisions for pedestrians and cyclists?
Can I U-turn on Hewletts Road?
Will Tauranga City Council still own the Harbour Bridge?

1. What is the Harbour Link Project?

The Harbour Link project will provide continuous four lane expressway from Takitimu Drive through to Hewletts Rd and Mount Maunganui, including a duplicate harbour bridge. It will provide more efficient and quicker access between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, reducing congestion on the existing harbour bridge and the traffic bottleneck at Chapel Street/Marsh St.

2. What will it include in Stage 1 and Stage 2?

Stage 1 included the four-laning of Hewletts Rd on the Mount Maunganui side of the harbour from Jean Batten Dr to the old toll plaza. Stage 1 was completed in September 2007. Stage 2 is the construction of a duplicate harbour bridge and a four-lane flyover connecting to Takitimu Drive, and construction began in July 2007.

3. Why is the project needed?

The amount of traffic using the existing bridge has increased dramatically since tolling was removed, and improving access between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui has been under discussion for several years.

The Western Bay of Plenty region is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing areas, and Tauranga city is now the country’s sixth largest population centre. Roads either side of the existing bridge and intersections at Totara St and Marsh St/Dive Cr are significantly congested at peak times.

4. Will the improvements help to reduce congestion in Tauranga?

Yes. As part of the project, changes are being made to these intersections including signals and viaducts to take traffic at different levels. This should significantly reduce congestion at these locations.

5. What is happening on Hewletts Rd and the bridge approaches?

Hewletts Rd has been widened to four lanes with bus lanes and cycleways. A median barrier will prevent fight turns across traffic. The roundabout at Dive Cr will be replaced with a traffic signalled intersection with on/off ramps to the bridge and viaduct. Traffic on Chapel St will be separated to an intersection on different levels with on/off ramps to the viaduct.

6. Will the new Harbour Link bridge be tolled?

No. Originally the project was planned to be part funded through tolling. At the last General Election an agreement was reached between the Labour Party and New Zealand First that the project would be fully funded by the Crown without the need for tolls. The funding comes half from the Crown grant and the other half through the National Land Transport Fund administered by Land Transport New Zealand.

7. Has Transit needed to obtain any land?

Yes. Tauranga City arranged for most of the land purchase on the ‘Tauranga Side’ as part of their preparation for the project and Transit has now taken over these land purchases. All land purchases have been negotiated and completed with the land owners and lessees.

8. What is being done to reduce the effects of construction in the area?

Works next to the road are being screened where necessary to ensure safety and protection for passing motorists. The contractor has to meet the terms of the designation and resource consent conditions particularly on noise, stormwater management and dust.

9. How much will the project cost?

The current estimated cost of the project is $255 million. This is the largest project undertaken in the Bay of Plenty and one of the largest in New Zealand to date.

10. What consultation has been done with the community?

The Harbour Link project has had strong public backing. Considerable consultation was undertaken, both on the approvals under the Resource Management Act and the issue of tolling. A Key Stakeholders Group was established to enable information to be provided and responses gained from the key interested parties as well as the public consultation programme that featured communications with affected landowners. In addition a Community Liaison Group was set up by Tauranga City Council to allow interested parties to respond on the urban design aspects of the project. Tangata whenua were consulted through out the approvals programme

11. What's the timing of construction?

Construction of Stage 1 – four laning of Hewletts Rd from Jean Batten Dr to the old toll plaza – was completed in September 2007. Construction of Stage 2 – the duplicate bridge and viaducts connecting to Takitimu Dr – began in July 2007.

12. Will I still be able to use the existing bridge during construction?

Yes. Traffic will still be able to use the bridge as it does now.

13. How will the project affect the Harbour Bridge Marina?

It will improve access to the marina in the short term by the use of traffic lights, but when the traffic delays increase to unacceptable levels on the causeway, the turning manoeuvres may be withdrawn until there is only left hand in and left hand out.

14. Will land need to be reclaimed?

A small amount of land at Butters Landing has been reclaimed to enable road widening near the old toll plaza.

15. Will there be provisions for buses?

Yes. Bus lanes are being provided between Aerodrome Rd and Totara Street, with provision for bus priority at signalled intersections.

16. Will there be provisions for pedestrians and cyclists?

Yes. Pedestrian and cycle facilities will be greatly improved as part of the Harbour Link Project. All signalled intersections include pedestrian phases for safe crossing of these busy roads and pedestrian facilities have been provided along Hewletts Rd and will be provided over the bridge to ensure the bridge can be crossed safely, with a barrier between this area and other traffic. Cycle lanes will be provided from the Tauranga central business district over the harbour bridge and along Hewletts Rd which will join the lanes provided on the recent flyover project.

17. Can I U-turn on Hewletts Road?

Yes. Light vehicles can still make a u-turn at intersections with traffic signals unless it is signposted otherwise.

18. Will Tauranga City Council still own the Harbour Bridge?

No. Transit is in the process of taking over the existing bridge as a State Highway.

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