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Tauriko West |
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11 February 2026 |
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Tēnā koe and welcome to the SH29/SH29A Tauriko West update. In this edition, you can read about:
• Tauriko West Road of National Significance project and more! |
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Cambridge Road lane reopened in time for schoolThere’s been no easing into the new year for the Tauriko Enabling Works team, with major upgrade works undertaken at the intersection of State Highway 29 (SH29) and Cambridge Road. After 4 weeks of intense construction, the team has scaled back operations and reopened the short section of the Cambridge Road northbound lane, in time for school buses resuming.
The lane closure allowed the team to safely carry out a number of key activities, including:
The full upgrade will make the intersection safer and more efficient for everyone, with completion expected in 2027. |
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SH29 Kaimai Range closures for late February 2026SH29 Kaimai Range will close for 5 nights, from Sunday 22 February, to continue urgent remedial work on the Ruahihi Bluffs, just west of the Ruahihi Power Station. This follows scaling work carried out in late 2025 which identified further critical works were required. This next phase of work involves removing a significant sized rock from the top of the bluffs, along with reinforcement measures. The operation will involve a helicopter, crane and abseilers. To complete this work safely SH29 will be closed to through traffic between SH29/SH28 intersection and SH29/Redwood/Kaweroa Drive Roundabout between 8pm and 3.30am from Sunday 22 to Thursday 26 February (reopening early Friday morning). Once again, we will take full advantage of these closures to undertake other work at multiple sites along the highway. This includes structural asphalt rehabilitation, localised drainage works, road marking and surface repairs at numerous sites along the state highway. Residents and emergency services will have access from the relevant side of the closure but should expect delays along the route. The state highway will also be fully closed to all through traffic at Ruahihi Bluffs for a period of time on Sunday 22 February, with alternate access along Ōmanawa, Peers and McLaren Falls roads. Timings will be communicated to residents and emergency services ahead of the closure. Work on Sunday 22 February will proceed regardless of weather, however the remaining nights are weather dependent with Sunday 1 March – Thursday 5 March the backup dates. Following the SH29 Kaimai Range closures, teams will remain onsite at the Ruahihi Bluffs for approximately 8 weeks completing the stabilisation work with temporary traffic management in place at night, including stop/go as required.
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Big changes on site at Ōmanawa BridgeThe enormous changes visible to everyone driving past the SH29 Ōmanawa Bridge replacement work site over the past 2 months show the progress our team has been making. What was still a largely grass covered site in late November, is now a busy construction zone, as the new road alignment takes shape and work gets underway on the new bridge supports on the eastern side of the river. Since early December the team has dug out 15,800 cubic metres of weaker surface layers of dirt from along the new road alignment. This material is stockpiled on site to be used for landscaping once the road is built. With drainage and testing equipment now installed to speed up and monitor ground settlement, the present focus on the western side of the river is bringing in the stronger, structural materials such as pumice and gravel that form the foundation of the new road. On the other side of the river a crane is now on site and work is starting work on building the bridge supports. The first step is to build a coffer dam - a temporary, watertight enclosure to create a safe, dry environment that protects the river environment as work is done. Once this is in place work will start on installing bridge piles. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/tauriko-west/sh29-omanawa-bridge-replacement
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Tauriko West investigations underwayInvestigations are underway to gather important information about the land and environment along the proposed route for the Tauriko West Road of National Significance (RoNS) project. These include geotechnical testing, topographical surveys and soil contamination testing. In addition, ecology, landscape, noise, and archaeological specialists have been busy undertaking site investigations. As part of these investigations, one of the first works completed was a detailed survey of the Kopurererua Valley, helping ensure our flood model predictions are accurate for this important area. These steps help build a clear picture of the environment and ground conditions as planning and design continues. People travelling through this area may notice these activities underway alongside SH29 and SH29A. |
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Going underground - geotech works underwayGeotechnical investigations are an important early step in planning any new infrastructure and are now underway to support the design and consents for the Tauriko West project. These studies help engineers understand what’s happening below the ground so they can design safe, stable, and long-lasting structures. A typical investigation involves a mix of tests to better understand the composition and behaviour of the soil and rock beneath a site. These tests might include pushing specialised equipment into the ground to measure strength, drilling small boreholes, or digging test pits to collect soil samples. All works are carried out under the careful watch of kaitiaki/guardians from local hapū to ensure any areas of cultural significance are identified and handled accordingly. Soil samples are taken to a laboratory to test their strength, how they behave when wet, and if there are contaminants present. All this information helps engineers understand how the ground will respond to construction and what type of foundations or earthworks will be needed. The results of a geotechnical investigation play a key role in the planning and consenting process. They give designers and decision makers confidence the site is suitable for development and help ensure future buildings are safe, resilient, and built to last. |
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Meet the team - Site Engineer RobbieA good day for Ōmanawa Bridge Replacement Project site engineer Robbie Thomsen is one spent outside getting his boots dirty amongst the construction activity. Robbie works for HEB Construction and his role is a critical link between the project team and the construction team in the day to day running of construction activities on site. “My role consists of reviewing and understanding the construction plans, setting out the design for these using GPS, and providing this information to the construction teams,” says Robbie. “I also organise, undertake and oversee the testing and inspections needed to ensure work is done correctly and carry out checks to ensure environmental and health and safety compliance.” Robbie’s responsibilities cover all the earthworks and construction associated with the site set up and building the new road alignment – a separate team is responsible for the bridge construction. “Most of my day is spent outside and that’s the way I like it - out amongst the construction and getting to meet and work with lots of people.
Robbie completed his New Zealand Diploma in Engineering at Wintec in Hamilton in 2020 and has since worked as a civil construction labourer and a civil design engineer getting experience in both sides of the industry. |
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Takitimu North Link’s bridge to somewhereRising along western side of SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR), the nearly completed flyover bridge has already picked up a cheeky nickname. With no road yet connecting to it, the bridge stands tall but a little lonely, prompting passing commuters to dub it the “bridge to nowhere”. Rest assured, this bridge is very much part of the plan. It’s a key feature of Stage 1 of the Takitimu North Link project and, in time, it will definitely go somewhere - linking directly to SH29 toward Tauranga CBD. Stretching an impressive 363 metres, the flyover forms part of the new SH29/TDTR interchange. The design also includes a new roundabout to provide access to the upcoming highway, while a slip lane on the eastern side will keep traffic flowing smoothly from Tauranga CBD toward Tauriko. As work continues, the interchange will soon feel much more connected to the wider project. Construction vehicles are set to begin using the bridge in February, with all traffic expected to switch over by mid-2026. https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh2-waihi-to-tauranga-corridor/takitimu-north-link |
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Takitimu Drive exit to Fifteenth Ave closedThe exit from SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road on to Fifteenth Ave is now closed through to late-April 2026 to progress road widening to allow construction of new lanes as part of the Takitimu North link project.
For the duration of the works, traffic moves onto temporary lanes allowing SH29 and SH2 traffic to travel northbound onto SH2 Takitimu Drive, however traffic from SH29 to Fifteenth Ave is detoured via SH2 Takitimu Drive to Elizabeth Street. SH2 traffic can still travel to Fifteenth Ave. |
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More information |
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For more information on the Tauriko West project, contact us at bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-west |
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