Milestone for Maungatapu underpass

A major milestone for the new, $55 million Maungatapu underpass will take place tomorrow, with the first sod of grass being turned for the earthworks associated with the project.

Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges will be on hand to do the honours at an official event organised by the NZ Transport Authority.


Work is about to get underway in earnest on the site of the $55 million Maungatapu underpass. Photo: File.

The earthworks are scheduled to begin this month, following the completion of preliminary works which has seen the removal of vegetation around the project and houses from nearby Hammond Street.

More vegetation clearance is expected to take place this week, while the eight houses in question are gone except for two that are being retained for use as site offices.

The design contract for the Welcome Bay underpass has been awarded to Beca, which also helped with construction tender documents.

The construction consortium members are Fulton Hogan, Tonkin Taylor and Waikato company Bloxham, Burnett and Olliver.

Construction is expected to take around three years.

The underpass is considered the most effective way of improving congestion at the Welcome Bay/Hairini roundabout, and of moving commuter traffic off the strategic SH29 link.

The underpass will deliver a two lane link underneath the Maungatapu roundabout, connecting directly to Welcome Bay Road.

In addition to improving congestion at peak times, the underpass will make travel safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists by taking out the climb up the Welcome Bay and Hairini sides of the ridge.

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8 comments

Well it looks like

Posted on 31-08-2015 20:03 | By The Caveman

A good spend for the Welcome Bay residents (they dodge the roundabout) but the bottom line is that without 4 lanes on the Fraser Street / Turret Road (and bridge) section of the road, its just a $55 million short cut to another bottleneck !!!!


And...

Posted on 31-08-2015 21:03 | By penguin

...I bet Bridges will rave on as if the whole project was thought of by National and himself.


@ Caveman

Posted on 31-08-2015 22:55 | By Colleen Spiro

Not a good spend AT ALL You are right, it was originally $100m to do the whole bloody job.....with the return of SH2a returning to the ratepayers....WE HAVE BEEN SHAFTED A.G.A.I.N.


Caveman...

Posted on 01-09-2015 06:53 | By Stevo

Although you are correct, remember this underpass is not for the residents of Welcome Bay. It is to allow uncongested flow of traffic on SH29 and is therefore being funded mostly from NZTA. Because TCC has basically swapped route K for Turret road, that means council will be responsible for 4 laning Turret road so it is now unlikely to happen.


Sigh!

Posted on 01-09-2015 07:30 | By SonnyJim

There is no pleasing some people, who live in caves.


Spot on Caveman

Posted on 01-09-2015 07:55 | By bushman

Not going to help out Welcome Bay traffic but will help those on Ohauiti wanting to head towards Bay Park thank you Transit


@ Penguin

Posted on 01-09-2015 11:29 | By Colleen Spiro

It was promised by NATIONAL....In 2008 a promise was made to spend up to $100m to do the WHOLE BLOODY LOT, i.e. 4 lane Turret Road. except as already stated, the rate payer will have to pay for that now.... All sorts of promises made by NZTA to land owners as well, like "like for like"....negotiation on market value....but guess what when it comes to the crunch, I know 3 of us had to take loans on freehold homes to move


..

Posted on 01-09-2015 13:41 | By maccachic

Waste of time - why are they failing to address major areas of roading that need upgrading but doing less important areas.


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