Lanes opened for works

Preliminary earthworks for the construction of the Pa¯ pa¯ moa East Interchange are making good progress.

To support earthworks, traffic on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd (TEL) has recently had further traffic lane switches that saw three lanes of the TEL reopened and speed increased from 50km/ h to 70km/h that will remain in place for the next six months.

The outer westbound lane will remain closed for another six months, to allow continued earthworks on the Bell Rd side of the TEL to occur safely. Construction of the Pa¯pa¯moa East Interchange started last month with works to construct an earth embankment on the westbound side of the motorway.

This phase of work also includes the construction of a number of stormwater culverts and the embankment for the on/ off ramps.

This work is in preparation for construction of the interchange bridge and roads, scheduled to start in 2023.

Once earthworks finish, the embankment needs to settle as some of the construction site is on peat-based farmland.

Early next year will see the start of works on the extension of Te Okuroa Drive, which will eventually connect with the new interchange. Construction of the interchange itself is planned to start mid 2023 with a planned opening in early 2026.