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Project

Takitimu North Link

PROJECT STATUS

Under Delivery

The project will connect Tauranga and Ōmokoroa with a new 14-kilometre link between State Highway 29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road and State Highway 2 Ōmokoroa intersection.

Takitimu North Link will be constructed in two phases:

Stage One: previously known as Tauranga Northern Link, this stage will be the connection between SH29 and SH2 near Te Puna, and
Stage Two: the connection between SH2 Te Puna and Ōmokoroa.

Key Dates

Jan 2020	Project Announcement
Dec 2021	Construction Commencement

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency:	Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Successful Tenderer:	A Fulton Hogan and HEB Joint Venture

PROJECT HISTORY

2016	Property purchases, consents, design, tolling feasibility and revocation planning for the project commenced.
Apr 2016	Original construction funding for the Tauranga Northern Link ( Stage One of the now Takitimu North Link) was granted in April 2016 as part of the NZ$520 million Waihi to Tauranga Corridor Programme.
Aug 2017	Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) called for Registration of Interest (ROI) for the project's original design and construct contract in August 2017.
Jan 2018	Following the release of the 2018 Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport and the Draft Transport Agency Investment Proposal (TAIP), NZTA re-evaluated the project to align it with the new priorities set out in the GPS.
Aug 2018	Project re-evaluation was confirmed in the National Land Transport Program (NLTP) 2018-21.
Sep 2020	Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the hapū Treaty partners have formally renamed the two State Highway 2 New Zealand Upgrade Programme projects. Under the renaming and amalgamation, the project previously known as Tauranga Northern Link from State Takitimu Drive Toll Road to Te Puna is now named Stage One of Takitimu North Link. The Stage Two of Takitimu North Link will extend that connection from Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.
Jun 2021	Following a re-evaluation of the NZUP, Stage Two of the project was 'deferred'. Dual-carriageway route protection and safety improvements were prioritised in the short term. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency stated that Stage Two will not happen in the next three years and is unlikely to occur in the next ten years.
Dec 2021	Stage One construction commencement.
Mar 2024	The NZ Government recommitted to deliver Stage Two of the project, with inclusion in the Draft Land Transport GPS 2024 as a Road of National Significance.

Sector

Road

Procurement approach

Alliance | Unconfirmed |

Location

New Zealand |

Resources

Project website

NZTA Project page

Government resources

Project Factsheet - NZUP Re-evaluation
Draft Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27
National Land Transport Programme 2018-21
GPS on Land Transport 2018

Media releases

2020/09/02 Program renamed
2020/11/11
2018/10/24 Plans for the SH2 corridor between Waihī and Tauranga released

Project pages

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Major Contract

Takitimu North Link - Stage Two

PROJECT STATUS

Detailed Planning

Stage Two of Takitimu North Link project a proposed new 7km four-lane state highway between Te Puna (near Loop Road) and Ōmokoroa, tying into the existing State Highway 2 (SH2) south of the Waipapa Stream bridge.

The scope of the works includes:

a new seven-kilometre four-lane highway with median and side barriers
seven kilometres of shared path
overbridges at Plummers Point Road/Barrett Road and Snodgrass Road/Te Puna Quarry Road
grade separated interchange at SH2 / Ōmokoroa Road
connection to the Takitimu North Link Stage One, and
retaining the existing SH2 highway as a local road.

The project was originally planned alongside Stage One, but was deferred following a re-evaluation of the NZUP.

It is now included as part of the Roads of National Signifiance Program.

PROJECT HISTORY

Sep 2020	Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the hapū Treaty partners have formally renamed the two State Highway 2 New Zealand Upgrade Program projects. Under the renaming and amalgamation, the project previously known as Tauranga Northern Link from State Takitimu Drive Toll Road to Te Puna is now named Stage One of Takitimu North Link. The Stage Two of Takitimu North Link will extend that connection from Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.
Jan 2021	Ecological and ground investigations required for Stage Two of the project commenced.
Jun 2021	Following a re-evaluation of the NZUP, the project was deferred to the long term. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency stated that the project will not happen by 2024 and is unlikely to occur before 2031.
Jul 2023	Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency published draft plans for the project for public consultation, closing 4 August.
Mar 2024	The NZ Government recommitted to deliver Stage Two of the project, with inclusion in the Draft Land Transport GPS 2024 as a Road of National Significance.

Estimated Total Cost

(2021)

Sector

Road

Procurement approach

Unconfirmed |

Location

New Zealand |

Resources

Government resources

Draft GPS on Land Transport 2024-2034
Project Factsheet - NZUP Re-evaluation

Media releases

2020/09/02 Project rename
2021/01/28 Geological investigations underway
2023/07/03 Public engagement open

Project pages

NZTA Project Page

Major Contract

Takitimu North Link - Stage One

PROJECT STATUS

Under Delivery

Stage One of Takitimu North Link was previously known as Tauranga Northern Link. It will provide a 6.8-kilometre two-lane connection between the existing State Highway Two near Te Puna and the existing State Highway 29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. The route will bypass Te Puna and Bethlehem townships. The project includes:

a separate walking and cycling path
one lane in each direction prioritising public transport, vehicles with multiple passengers, and freight
a total of eight bridges over the connection
an interchange overbridge at Minden Road, and
underpasses at Cambridge Road and Wairoa Road.

Key Dates

Aug 2020	ROIs Open
May 2021	Contract Award
Dec 2021	Construction Commencement
2026	Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency:	Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency
Successful Tenderer:	A Fulton Hogan and HEB Joint Venture

PROJECT HISTORY

Apr 2016	Original construction funding for the Tauranga Northern Link (Stage One of the now Takitimu North Link) was granted in April 2016 as part of the NZ$520 million Waihi to Tauranga Corridor programme.
Jan 2020	The New Zealand Government announced NZ$478 million for the Tauranga Northern Link (Stage One of the now Takitimu North Link) project as part of the NZ$12 billion (AU$ 11 billion) New Zealand Upgrade Program.
Aug 2020	Registrations of Interest (ROI) were called for the design and construction of Stage One, closing on 15 September. ROI noted that Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency reserves the right to extend the scope of the project to include Stage Two.
Oct 2020	Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency released the Request for Tenders for Stage One of the project. It is expected that the design component of the contract will be awarded by March 2021, with construction due to commence by late-2021.
May 2021	The NZTA awarded the Design and Construct contract to a Fulton Hogan and HEB Joint Venture.
Jun 2021	Following a re-evaluation of the NZUP, the project has had its cost increased from $425 million to $655 million.
Nov 2021	Enabling Works commenced for Stage One between Cambridge Road and Wairoa Valley.
Dec 2021	Construction commenced on the project.
May 2022	Construction commenced on the first of the eight bridges on the project.

Estimated Total Cost

(2021)

Sector

Road

Procurement approach

Alliance |

Location

New Zealand |

Resources

Media releases

2021/05/11 Contract award
2020/10/19 RFT released
2021/11/17 Enabling works commence
2022/05/23 Bridge construction commence
2021/12/01 Construction commencement

Tender notices

2020/08/18 ROI

Project pages

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency