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Project

Takitimu North Link

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
Takitimu North Link

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

Funding contributions

NZ Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

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
Takitimu North Link - Stage Two

Stage Two of Takitimu North Link project a proposed new seven-kilometre, 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.

Key Dates

2027 Expected Construction Commencement

Funding contributions

NZ Government

NZ$26 million (A$24 million) was allocated to the project from the National Land Transport Programme 2024-27.

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.
Sep 2024 The National Land Transport Programme 2024-27 was released, allocating NZ$26 million (A$24 million) to Stage Two of the project over the next three years.
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
National Land Transport Programme 2024-27
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
Takitimu North Link - Stage One

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
2028 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.
Sep 2024 The National Land Transport Programme 2024-27 was released, allocating NZ$397 million (A$367 million) to Takitimu North Link Stage One over the next three years.
Sep 2024 NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi opened a proposed toll scheme for the Takitimu North Link for public consultation, closing on 7 October. The proposal includes a 35-year tolling scheme, which aims to recover maintenance expenditure for Stage One, and the construction of Stage Two. The proposed tolling rates include variances for light and heavy vehicles, as well as peak (7am-9am and 4pm-6pm) and off-peak. The tolls will also be subject to Consumer Price Index. The proposed tolling rates over peak times for Stage One are NZ$3.10 and NZ$6.20 for light and heavy vehicles respectively, and NZ$2.10 and NZ$4.20 respectively in non-peak times. Upon the completion of Stage Two, the use of the combined Stage One and Two is proposed to be tolled at NZ$4.10 and NZ$8.20 during peak times for light and heavy vehicles respectively, and NZ$3.10 and $6.20 respectively in non-peak.
Estimated Total Cost
(2021)
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Alliance |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
Government resources
National Land Transport Programme 2024-27
Media releases
2020/10/19 RFT released
2021/11/17 Enabling works commence
2022/05/23 Bridge construction commence
2021/12/01 Construction commencement
2024/09/09
2021/05/11 Contract award
Tender notices
2020/08/18 ROI
Project pages
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
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