The new $455 million Tauranga Eastern Link is set to be opened to traffic in August – five months ahead of schedule.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges will officially open the new highway on July 30, a week before traffic will be allowed to use it.
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,” says Simon.
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.
SunLive asked people in the community if they would use the new highway once it was open.
Watch the video above to see what people had to say.
Will you be using the new Tauranga Eastern Link?
8 comments
No use to me
Posted on 11-07-2015 19:57 | By dgk
I can't see any reason why I'd ever use it.
For sure
Posted on 12-07-2015 09:45 | By Turk 4
If heading east why would you not use it?
Toll road
Posted on 13-07-2015 18:41 | By joe p
is certainly going to be quicker, but its nice to stop in TePuke, have a coffee, look around the shops. This doesn't bother me BUT, the biggest problem will be the bottle-neck when approaching the Domain road round-a-bout, during the week in the evening the road will be a pain as all the traffic is heading to Papamoa, already there is congestion at this point because of all the traffic is forced into 1 lane, then back into 2 lanes at the round-a-bout, what a DUMB idea, prove me wrong if you can Mr Planner !!!!!!!!@
WELL WELL WELL
Posted on 14-07-2015 21:00 | By The Caveman
The tripe through Te Puke, will be much more enjoyable. Every time I travel through Te Puke - abount once a month, ALWAYS stop for a brake and a wander around the shops. And always buy a Lotto ticket in the town - been worth the stop over the last 20 years. So will continue to do so..........
ROLLS ROYCE COST FOR WHAT EXACTLY
Posted on 14-07-2015 21:12 | By ROCCO
Should never have been built yet as a toll road and if we waited until now it would be free. Had no national priority and no urgency.Also needed more on and off roads in Papamoa East area.Ill planned, ill implemented, ill routed, ill constucted, more or less ill everything.Says it all really.
@Rolls Royce
Posted on 15-07-2015 16:27 | By Rate1
You must be qualified in a lot of disciplines: road design engineer, a project construction manager etc..to say that it is unsuitable in all those items you mention..LOL. Even the trip from Te Maunga to Domain Drive is a lot faster, plus no doubt if travelling to Whakatane - that will be much faster time as well. Will be great!
QUALIFIED NOT SO AND DON'T CLAIM TO BE
Posted on 15-07-2015 20:54 | By ROCCO
@ Rate 1 you didn't bother to read the post properly as the reference was to the TOLL ROAD only. The Te Maunga - Domain Road highway is fine and will probably work well saving a little time.It was really necessary but it has taken an awful long time to get up to speed with much of the delay possibly attributable to TEL section between Papamoa to Paengaroa.Trust that clarifies the criticism for you and as I have been associated with a Te Puke bypass since 1988 I think I do know a little about NZTA and the background.
@Qualified
Posted on 21-07-2015 10:27 | By Rate1
I was referring to your comments that YOU wrote:..ill constructed, ill routed, ill planned etc. As the TEL is from Te Maunga through to Paengaroa. I was not referring to just the section through to Domain Drive. The surface smoothness is one of the best constructions I have driven on - compared with the opposite for Route K (toll road) expressway which has a very rough, undulating, patched surface.
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