The Welcome Bay underpass and new Hairini causeway bridge will be built within eight years.
At a recent meeting with Western Bay of Plenty mayors, Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges confirmed the government will keep its pre-election promise to pay for a Welcome Bay traffic underpass and a new causeway bridge.

See the full graphic below.

The main issue discussed at the meeting was the Hairini Link, says Tauranga City Councillor Bill Grainger.
'The main question is how good is their promise,” says Bill, 'Tony Ryall says they will stand by their promise.”
'It's good that our MPs are prepared to keep their promises.”
The undertaking is to complete the Hairini Link within eight years. Work will begin this year on preparing 15th Avenue for four laning.
Dates on the major construction phase – the widening or duplication of the causeway bridge – and the underpass, will be available after the New Zealand Transport Agency scheme assessment is released, probably in April.
'What I'm pushing for is to get the four laning done, it is most important that we have the right connections at the other end,” says Bill.
'We've got to put in that ramp off to Tauriko. It should have been done when Route K was established, but it never was.
'The other thing I would like to see as well is the other connection off that Western End of 15th Avenue back into the city along Te Awanui Drive.”
The cross connections are essential to complete the ring road concept, says Bill.
Adding the interchange will reduce congestion on Cameron Road by offering cross town traffic a clearer route – and in future offer an alternative to the harbour bridges.
'It should have been looked at when Route K went in,” says Bill.
One of the reasons for Route K's dismal performance is its lack of access from 11th and 15th Avenues says Bill.
The city council is trying to sell Route K back to NZTA as part of the local highway network, but it needs to be working before the NZTA will show interest.
15th Avenue currently carries 30,000 vehicles per day, while Route K carries 4000 vehicles per day.