Regional Transport Committee supports announcement
For immediate release: Monday 21 December 2009
REGIONAL Transport Committee Chair Jane Nees is delighted that construction of the Tauranga Eastern link is likely to be
brought forward to 2010 following Friday’s announcement by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to use tolling on the
road.
Mrs Nees, who is also an Environment Bay of Plenty Councillor, said that Central Government had recognised this stretch
of highway from Te Maunga to Paengaroa on State Highway 2 as a road of national significance due to the value it would
bring to the local and national economy.
“With more than 80 percent of submissions supporting the tolling proposal, Bay of Plenty residents have indicated they
would like to see construction started sooner rather than later on the Tauranga Eastern Link,” Mrs Nees said.
“Friday’s announcement reflects the need to put infrastructure in place that will cater for the future economic and
population growth of the region.”
The Tauranga Eastern Link will have two sections – one from Te Maunga to Domain Road that will be an upgrade of the
existing two-lane road to a four-lane motorway and will not be tolled. The other section will be a completely new
four-lane motorway with a median barrier from Domain Road to Paengaroa that will be tolled near the Pāpāmoa East
interchange.
Mrs Nees said that SmartGrowth, a programme for managing growth in the western Bay of Plenty, had also recognised the
challenges that population growth would bring to the region and noted that future projects including the Rangiuru
Business Park would benefit immensely from the Tauranga Eastern Link motorway.
“We encouraged people to have their say and make submissions on the tolling proposal as part of the public consultation
process and it’s clear that these submissions have had an impact on the decision to progress with the tolling proposal,”
Mrs Nees said.
“This motorway will help manage population growth, ensure economic development, and improve efficiency, safety and
access to the Bay of Plenty.”
If the tolling proposal is approved by Cabinet, the Order in Council is likely to be in place by July 2010, and the
construction contract awarded late 2010.
ENDS