Project Details

Tauranga Eastern Link
SH2
SH2 - Western Bay of Plenty from Te Maunga junction to the junction of SH2 and SH33 near Paengaroa
Purpose: The Tauranga Eastern Link is a key strategic transport corridor for the Bay of Plenty region and a highway recognised by the government as a Road of National Significance.

Tauranga Eastern Link is a key element of the Tauranga eastern corridor package of works which provides access to Tauranga from the east (Kawerau,Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne) and south (Rotorua, Taupo). It will service existing and future inter-regional traffic in the Bay, as well as urban growth in Papamoa East, the largest growth area of the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region.
EstimatedCost: $455M
Start Date: Specimen design is due for completion early 2010.
Location: SH2 - Western Bay of Plenty from Te Maunga junction to the junction of SH2 and SH33 near Paengaroa
Engineering Features: Stretching almost 23 kms from Te Maunga junction to the junction of SH2 and SH33 near Paengaroa, Eastern Link begins near the Baypark Stadium (Te Maunga) in Tauranga and follows its existing route to the Domain Road intersection with SH2 at Papamoa.

It then leaves the current state highway route and crosses rural land parallel to Tara Road across Parton Road and along the sandhills to the Kaituna River at the end of Bell Road. At this point the motorway crosses the river and carries on past the Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve.

It heads south east across dairy farms and orchard lots before rising up over the railway line to join the existing junction of State Highways 2 and 33 (the Rotorua and Whakatane highways) at Paengaroa.
Environment Features: This corridor provides the main road access to Tauranga from the east (Te Puke, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne) and south (Rotorua, Taupo). This is a key route for trucks servicing the Port of Tauranga. The planned motorway will take regional traffic out of Te Puke. The project will take approximately five years to construct.
Interesting Facts: This project has been specifically developed to generate economic growth within the Bay of Plenty region. Once completed it will:
  • Improve the capacity, efficiency, security and safety of the transport corridor for Rotorua and the eastern Bay of Plenty, and wider south-eastern route to the Port of Tauranga
  • Provide an effective transport network that will provide access for the major SmartGrowth urbanisation area of Papamoa
  • Take inter-regional and freight traffic away from Te Puke township
  • Improve road safety in a high crash section of SH2 (currently rated the second worst section of highway in the country).
  • Support planned residential, commercial, and industrial development at Te Puke, Papamoa East and Rangiuru Business Park.
  • Traffic modelling indicates that, once completed, Eastern Link, may reduce the time of a return trip between Paengaroa and Te Maunga by up to 24 minutes, driving down the cost of transport.
More Information: Andrew Scott