A long awaited road link offering alternative commuting routes for both Papamoa and Mount Maunganui, is expected to be in use by August.

Construction began on the Grenada Street link last week, joining the Mount Maunganui end with the Papamoa end and creating a second through road.

Grenada Street link is under construction.

Construction of the $828,998.85 link follows the construction of the Sandhurst Drive access onto the Tauranga Eastern Link.

The work is being keenly watched by resident Kevin Millen

'They bulldozed it Wednesday/Thursday last week,” say Kevin. 'It's been cut out, they have just got to put the shingle in now. It's been a long time coming the way I see it.

'I can't wait till Gloucester goes through. The more access points we have got the better.”

There's no plan for a Gloucester St link at present, says Tauranga City Council transportation manager Martin Parkes.

'It will take the pressure off Papamoa Beach Road and give people other options. It's a link we've wanted to build for a considerable period of time,” says Martin.

'As the area develops then we would like to get a further link across there, that's the ultimate plan. We work with the land owners and as the land owners want to develop the area, we will put a road through.

'The links that are currently there have made a big difference to the way people travel around there. And once we have got the Grenada Street link constructed that will be further options for people to use.

'It helps spread the traffic load around that area, so if there's an incident on one part of the network there are other options for people to use.”

The contractors are All About Construction.