AA celebrates Tauranga Eastern Link highway opening
The opening of the Tauranga Eastern Link is a huge milestone to celebrate for the Bay of Plenty region, says the
Automobile Association.
The previous stretch of State Highway 2 from Mount Maunganui to the intersection with State Highway 33 was rated the
fourth-riskiest route in the country in 2012, in terms of collective crash risk. The Tauranga Eastern Link will make for
much safer travel between Tauranga and Paengaroa.
“The fact that the new Tauranga Eastern Link road is a multi-lane, divided highway with modern safety features is going
to mean less people are hurt in crashes. That’s something everyone wants to see,” says AA infrastructure spokesman
Barney Irvine.
As well as the safety benefits, the new highway is going to reduce travel times for people and businesses and increase
economic opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing regions.
“The AA congratulates everyone who has been involved in this massive project. Completing 21km of world-class highway
ahead of time and on budget is a great result,” says Mr Irvine.
“Kiwis who’ve driven overseas often talk about how great the highways are – well the Tauranga Eastern Link and the other
Roads of National Significance projects are creating safe, smart, high-speed roads that will be just as much of a
pleasure to drive on.”
The Tauranga Eastern Link is having its official opening ceremony today and vehicles will be able to drive on it from
Monday.
It is the second of the Government’s seven Roads of National Significance project to be completed, following the
Victoria Park Tunnel in Auckland.
ENDS