Two new Tauriko West intersections have opened as part of the State Highway 29 Tauriko Enabling Works project.

A new intersection in Tauriko Village opened with a temporary layout on Monday, May 5 (near the former service station site), providing access to a safer, new carpark for Tauriko School and Playcentre.

Meanwhile, motorists are travelling through a new roundabout at the intersection of SH29 and Redwood Lane, which opened on Wednesday, May 7, also under a temporary layout.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato/Bay of Plenty infrastructure delivery regional manager Darryl Coalter said the opening of these intersections is a step towards a better-connected Tauriko West.

“We’ve just passed one year of construction on this project, and we’re thrilled with the progress that’s being made,” said Coalter.

“These two intersections are integral pieces of the puzzle and will result in safer and more efficient ways to move around Tauriko once completed.

“We’re also pleased to have handed over a new, safer car park for the school and Playcentre community.”

Tauriko School and Playcentre have a new carpark. Photo / NZTA

Coalter said the intersections were in a temporary state to enable new work areas and allow the team to continue their hard work on the surrounding infrastructure, while facilitating traffic to continue flowing.

At Redwood Lane, the roundabout was in a temporary single-lane layout while work continues on widening SH29 on the eastern side, along with extending the pedestrian and cycle underpass beneath the road and completing the Kaweroa Drive extension of the roundabout.

Once completed, the roundabout will have two lanes travelling in each direction.

Other works taking place around the Tauranga region

Tauranga

SH29 north of McLarens Falls Road: A road rebuild will begin on Sunday, May 11, taking two weeks to complete. Work will take place from Sunday to Friday between 7pm and 6am each night. While the work is going on, a temporary speed limit will be in place.

Tauriko Enabling Works – SH29/Redwood Lane: The new SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout is now open with a temporary layout and reduced speed limit of 30km/h while road users adjust to the new configuration. With wet weather forecast, planned night works for resurfacing between Gargan Rd and Belk Rd may extend to include Friday, May 9 and Sunday, May 11, between 7pm and 5am. Traffic management will be in place, including stop/go, shoulder closures, rolling blocks and a temporary reduced speed limit of 30km/h. Delays are expected. More information

SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works – SH29/Tauriko Village: The new intersection on SH29 in Tauriko Village, providing access to the new Tauriko School carpark, is now open under a temporary layout. As part of ongoing construction in the area, temporary safety barriers are being installed along the northern side of SH29 through Tauriko Village, with traffic lanes temporarily shifted to the southern side of the road. More information

SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Rd: Ongoing works in this area for the Takitimu North Link project include the construction of a flyover bridge and southbound slip lane. A reduced speed limit of 70km/h remains in place while crews are working behind the barriers. Traffic is expected to be diverted on to the flyover bridge and southbound slip lane in the next year while works continue. More information

SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd (TELTR): The Tauranga City Council-led project continues. A 2km section of SH2, just past the Kaituna River Bridge, continues to be reduced to a single lane in each direction, allowing construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to progress. This closure will remain in place for the duration of construction, with a temporary 70km/h speed limit in place. More information