Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges will officially open the Tauranga Eastern Link toll road on July 30, his office announced today.

The official opening date is just a few days before the TEL open day on Saturday, August 1, however, traffic will not be able to use the road until the following week.

Simon Bridges will open the Tauranga Eastern Link on July 30.

"I'm really looking forward to opening the Tauranga Eastern Link on July 30, five months ahead of schedule, and delivering such a nationally significant project to Tauranga and the wider Bay,” says Simon in a statement from his office today.

'Of course, it won't just be the Bay of Plenty that benefits from this massive $455 million road. It's the second of seven of the Government's Roads of National Significance that have been identified as crucial to New Zealand's ongoing economic growth.”

Just as importantly, the TEL will improve safety, significantly reducing death and serious injury crashes, says Simon.

It's been a massive undertaking on many levels – it has taken five years to complete and has been considered one of the most geo-technically challenging major roading projects in New Zealand because the portion of the road west of the Kaituna is built over a former swamp.

'It will be great to see the community enjoying the benefits the TEL will undoubtedly bring to our area.”

Western sections of the highway are already in use. The four lane section from Domain Road to Te Maunga has been open since May, and the Mangatawa interchange will be opened to commuters on Wednesday.

Simon Bridges is currently overseas and could not be contacted for further comment.