PM cuts the ribbon on TEL

Classic vehicles and a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Key, were on hand to officially open the $455 million Tauranga Eastern Link today.

The 21km, four-lane route is one of seven Roads of National Significance identified by the government as being crucial to building New Zealand's economy.


Prime Minister John Key (centre), flanked by Simon Bridges and Anne Tolley, cuts the ribbon at the TEL opening ceremony this lunchtime. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges was joined by the PM to cut the ribbon on the multi-million dollar highway at around lunchtime.

'I've really been looking forward to opening the Tauranga Eastern Link five months ahead of schedule and delivering such a nationally significant project to Tauranga and the wider Bay,” Simon told SunLive.

'Of course, it won't just be the Bay of Plenty that benefits from this massive 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, and has taken five years to complete.

It is also 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 that the TEL will undoubtedly bring to our area,” adds Simon.

It includes seven bridges, the country's biggest roundabout, a new 6.8km cycleway, and one of the largest public art pieces currently on display in New Zealand – a 130m long pa sculpture.

The Transport Agency's Bay of Plenty highways manager, Niclas Johansson, says the community will get the chance to check out the country's newest road before it opens to traffic, with a community day planned for this Saturday (August 1).

'The community is encouraged to join in and explore the TEL,” says Niclas. 'They will get to see areas of the new road that have not been visible from the existing highway.

'This will also be the only time that they will be able to walk on the new motorway.

'We will have buses running up and down the road, for those who don't want to walk the 42km round trip, and a gala area set up at the Domain Interchange where there will be information about the project, food stalls and entertainment.

'It's exciting to open up the road just for the community and we hope many people take up this opportunity to take a look at what has been achieved over the past five years.”

For more information on Saturday's community event, please click here.

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1 comment

How many

Posted on 30-07-2015 13:43 | By maildrop

Does it take to cut a ribbon? The way people snuggle up to The PM makes my skin crawl.


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