Construction of the Takitimu North Link has powered ahead over winter, with all 10 bridges on the $655 million project expected to be completed this spring as crews move into the next major phase of work.

New Zealand Transport Agency project leaders say unusually favourable weather has helped accelerate progress across the 6.8km Stage 1 route, which will connect Tauranga to Te Puna and is scheduled to open in early 2028.

One of the project’s standout achievements is the 355m Wairoa Awa bridge, where only minor finishing works remain before it comes into use, NZTA said in its latest update on the project.

Later this year, construction traffic will shift on to the new bridge alignment, allowing the temporary crossing to be removed, the agency said.

“Major milestones have also been reached at the Tauranga end of the project, with the new SH29/Takitimu Drive flyover bridge now carrying traffic and both the SH29/Takitimu Drive interchange bridge and SH2/15th Ave bridge structures completed,” it said.

“With about 3 million cubic metres of earthworks largely finished, crews are turning their attention to building the future four-lane expressway, installing drainage and stormwater systems, and constructing road pavement.”

In Te Mete Valley, behind the former fruit shop on SH2, the first 500m section of structural asphalt has been laid.

At the western end near Te Puna, pavement construction has intensified, making the shape of the future expressway increasingly visible from SH2.

NZTA said environmental works are also progressing, with more than 450,000 native plants established along the route.

“Of those, more than 230,000 have been planted this season alone to help improve erosion control, biodiversity and ecological health.”

At the Tauranga end of the project, motorists are already seeing significant changes, the agency said.

The SH29 Takitimu Drive flyover bridge is open to traffic, while the SH29/SH2 merge area is expected to reopen with two lanes in September. Work is continuing on bridge approaches, drainage and road widening around the new SH2/15th Ave connection.

Construction is also advancing beneath the new flyover, where crews are building a roundabout and new road alignment that will connect to the expressway.

Despite major progress, NZTA warned traffic disruptions remain in place across parts of the project area, with motorists urged to allow extra travel time and follow temporary traffic management measures.

The project team said winter progress had strengthened confidence in the delivery programme and would help bring the Western Bay of Plenty closer to a safer, more resilient and more efficient transport connection.