One of the Tauranga Eastern Link's six support projects is completed, with the occasion marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning.

Truman Lane is now open.

The Truman Lane extension was a NZ Transport Agency project that saw the road extended 1.3km east and connecting it to Mangatawa Lane.

Residents can now use the extended Truman Lane to access the highway near the Te Maunga roundabout.

NZTA Bay of Plenty state highway manager Rod James attended the Tuesday morning blessing and opening ceremony.

'The Truman Lane extension is an important step to prepare for the future widening of State Highway 2 from Te Maunga to Domain Road,” says Rod.

'It also provides a safer driving environment for local residents because they no longer have to contend with state highway traffic to access their homes.

'There's a bit more work to do tying in the new road to Mangatawa Lane before its existing highway access can be completely closed.”

Construction is now underway on the $455M four-lane Tauranga Eastern Link.

It will run from Te Maunga (near Baypark Stadium) to the existing junction of State Highways 2 and 33 (the Rotorua and Whakatane highways) near Paengaroa.

It will be made up of 17km of new road and an upgrade of 6km of existing highway.