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. |
| May 2020 | Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency issued an Advanced Notice of Information (NOI) informing that tendering will begin for Stage One in the following months. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Jan 2021 | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency indicated that the preliminary site investigation for Stage One is near completion. |
| 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. Stage two of the project has deferred to the long term |
| 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
