Traffic changes will take place at Te Maunga in the coming weeks as progress on the Tauranga Eastern Link Project continues.

On Sunday, July 28 the Te Puke bound slip lane at the Te Maunga roundabout will be closed, with traffic diverted through the roundabout. The slip lane will re-open when the new southbound lanes are completed later in the year.

From Sunday the Te Maunga roundabout State Highway 2 southbound slip lane will be closed until late 2013.

On Monday, August 5 all north and south bound traffic on SH2 at Te Maunga will be moved onto the 1km new section of highway beside the railway.

The changes are to allow construction to start on the Tauranga Eastern Link's southbound lanes and to complete the new residential access road, Te Maunga Lane.

Two new residential access lanes, Te Maunga Lane and Oceandowns Way, will open on Monday, August 5 when residents' access onto State Highway 2 will be permanently closed.

Future access to these properties will be from either Gloucester Road or Eversham Road. All residents, visitors and service vehicles will be required to use the new access lanes.

Changes to the layout of roading for development of the Tauranga Eastern Link.

Motorists are advised to drive with care and to expect minor delays as traffic will be getting used to the new road layout. The work is weather dependent, and if wet, the work will be undertaken on the next suitable day.

The four-lane Tauranga Eastern Link will run from Te Maunga to the existing junction of State Highways 2 and 33 near Paengaroa. It comprises 17km of new road and an upgrade of six kilometres of existing highway. The TEL is expected to open to traffic in 2016.