The NZ Transport Agency is frequently asked by Year 13 students for detailed information on decision-making processes followed in the Harbour Link project and other roading projects as part of their studies. Information on the Harbour Link and Tauranga Eastern Motorway projects can now be sourced from the links below.
Please read the Harbour Link and Tauranga Eastern Motorway project introductions below before opening the links to the process documents (provided in PDF format).
NOTE: The documents provided on this page are designed to provide information for specific school assignments, and should not be read as a complete summary of all approval processes undertaken for this project.
Introduction to the Harbour Link project
Purpose
To improve the Strategic Roading Network (SRN) link between Takitimu Drive and the Tauranga Harbour Bridge.
The Tauranga Harbour Bridge to Tasman Quay also requires duplication to accommodate future traffic demands.
Background
Takitimu Drive (Route P) and the Harbour Bridge provide:
- Important links between State Highways 2 and 29.
- Access between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
- Access to and from the Port of Tauranga.
Takitimu Drive is a good example of an 80 km/h, urban expressway. The construction of Route J and Route K will extend the high standard links to SH2 in the north and SH29 in the west.
Between Takitimu Drive and the Harbour Bridge, traffic is required to negotiate Marsh Street, a 50 km/h urban street with property accesses, a signalised intersection and roundabout. This link presently causes delays during peak traffic periods, and the “level of service” will continue to deteriorate as traffic volumes grow. With improvements to Hewletts Road now complete, it will become the “bottleneck”.
The first Harbour Bridge was constructed in 1988 allowing for future duplication on the northern side. Options for an improved link between the bridge and Takitimu Drive have also been “on the drawing board” since the mid 1980s.
Consents Required under Resource Management Act (RMA)
- Designation of the Route.
- Resource Consents for Design.
Links
Two documents are provided as study material for Year 13 students:
- the resource consent process
- the land designation process
Introduction to the Tauranga Eastern Motorway project
Purpose
The Tauranga Eastern Motorway is part of a comprehensive Tauranga Eastern Corridor designed to service existing and future inter-regional traffic in the Bay, as well as urban growth in Papamoa East.
Background
The planned Tauranga Eastern Motorway is designed to improve the efficiency of the transport corridor for Rotorua and eastern Bay of Plenty, as well as providing an effective transport network to serve the major SmartGrowth urban area of Papamoa.
Once completed, the Tauranga Eastern Motorway will cover almost 23km from Te Maunga junction to Paengaroa. It is a key component of the Tauranga Eastern Transport Corridor. State Highway 2 - the major road access to Tauranga from the east (Te Puke, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne) and south from Rotorua and Taupo - is the main route for trucks heading to the Port of Tauranga from Rotorua and the eastern Bay of Plenty, and connects the economically important central plateau forestry industry with the port for export.
Over the past 10 years Transit New Zealand (now NZTA) has gained designations to protect the proposed corridor for this route.
Documents related to these designations can be found here:
• Te Maunga four laning
• Te Maunga access roads and service lanes
• Sandhurst Drive interchange
• Tauranga Eastern Arterial conditions
Links
Here you will find information relating to the Tauranga Eastern Motorway designation from Domain Rd to Paengaroa. Other aspects of this project are more complex and are not included on this information for students.
For decisions relating to the Tauranga Eastern Motorway, recent newsletters for the public include the various options and assessments.
Click on this link to read the final Decision.
In 2007 - 2008 Transit (now NZTA) developed the preliminary design to obtain resource consents from the Regional Council, Environment BOP. These consents are for:
• Earthworks
• Stormwater management
• Kaituna bridge works
• Water take for dust reduction
Click on this link to read recent newsletters containing details of these applications. The investigations and assessments are being completed in 2008 and the applications will be lodged for Environment BOP to consider during 2008.
