Project in construction

for. At its peak of construction, 350–400 people will work on the project, but about 4,500 would be inducted over the five-year construction.

Waka Kotahi will work alongside Te Tiriti partnership rōpū (group), Te Paerangi, together with Fulton Hogan and HEB Joint Venture, to deliver the project.

The Joint Venture Project Director/Contractors Representative, Tony Gallagher, says the team is ready to start construction on this long-awaited project for the Western Bay of Plenty.

“This is an exciting milestone for our team, which has been busy working towards this point for some time. A big focus has been delivering the design and undertaking archaeological and environmental investigations. We look forward to working with mana whenua and the wider community and meeting our neighbours for the project. We value the support of everyone to deliver the new expressway and shared path.”

Tauranga City Council Chair Anne Tolley says awarding of the construction contract for the major Tākitimu North Link project is a significant step forward for the city and the sub-region.

“This new link will significantly improve road connections between Tauranga and the growing communities to the north, as well as providing better options for people to travel to and within the city using other transport modes. We welcome this progress – the completion of this key project literally can’t come soon enough, and it will be great to see work get underway in earnest.”

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber welcomes the announcement that will see construction works getting underway this summer.

“There has been plenty of hard work behind the scenes to get the project to this point, and I commend all involved for their efforts. But the real work has only just begun.

“It is no secret the western Bay of Plenty sub-region is one of the fastestgrowing areas in Aotearoa, New Zealand and so the construction of the new multi-modal Tākitimu North Link will go a long way to creating a transport system that is safer and less congested.

“This will also be of incredible benefit to the local economy with employment opportunities.”

Artist impression of a continuous and separate shared ‘active mode path’ provides a safe and efficient connection for people cycling, riding e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards and walking. The path will be on the north side of the corridor, and provide regular access points to local roads and points of interest.

Copper skinks (left) and Plague skinks (right) can look quite similar and require an expert eye to inspect and confirm the difference. PHOTOS: Supplied. Below: A team of archaeologists and Kaitaki are working across the Tākitimu North Link project alignment. Here on site at Wairoa Road.

Artist impression of the Wairoa Road project. overbridge is one of three large span ridge bridges across the