Baypark to Bayfair Link

Project update

15 March 2023

A balancing act at busy Bayfair roundabout

The Bayfair roundabout can feel like one of the busiest places in Tauranga, with around 38,000 vehicles passing through each day alongside construction happening as part of the Bay Link project.

Bay Link teams are busy constructing the new, signalised Bayfair roundabout at ground level while also working above the roundabout on the Bayfair flyover, Bay Link’s final bridge which is currently expected to open under temporary traffic management in coming months. Recently, crews have been undertaking landscaping work either side of the underpass, reconstructing the road around the outer lanes of the roundabout, constructing permanent barriers in front of the flyover’s southern abutment and pouring concrete structural elements of the bridge deck.

Temporary restoration of two lanes from Matapihi Road to Girven Road

Two lanes between Matapihi Road and Girven Road will be restored from Tuesday 21 March and will be available until the Bayfair flyover is made available for use.

In preparation for this traffic switch, asphalting of the outer lanes around the northern side of the Bayfair roundabout is scheduled to start this Sunday night.

Because Bayfair roundabout is very busy, this work will all be carried out during night shifts. To enable it to be completed safely near live traffic lanes, Bayfair roundabout will be partially closed between Matapihi Road and Girven Road from Sunday 19 March to Wednesday 22 March (from approximately 7pm to 6am, nights only).

During these hours, a signposted detour will be available via the Golf Road roundabout as pictured.

This scheduled work is weather-dependent. If it is delayed because of weather or other unforeseen issues, it will be carried out on the next suitable nights.

Lane closures will also apply on all approaches to the Bayfair roundabout while these shifts are underway. If you are travelling, follow the directions provided on temporary traffic management signage. Minimal delays are expected given that the work is being completed at night.

What’s next at the Bayfair end of the project?

Once the flyover is available in mid-2023, traffic volumes on local roads at ground level are expected to drop due to people being able to use the new bridge over the roundabout. At that time, the project’s northern end will enter its final major construction phase involving reconstruction of the roads leading into and away from the Bayfair roundabout. To enable this work, and ensure the roundabout functions safely, all approaches to the roundabout and the roundabout itself will be reduced to a single lane for the construction period. The roundabout will be restored to two lanes in all directions at project completion.

When the project is complete, the Bayfair flyover and new signalised Bayfair roundabout will improve safety and accessibility, and transform how people move through the area. State highway traffic will travel over the flyover, freeing up the lanes around Bayfair roundabout for local, suburban road users.

Temporary speed limits keep people safe

To keep road workers and road users safe, the Bay Link site operates under temporary traffic management, including temporary speed restrictions. 

These restrictions are clearly signposted for road users and include:

• a 30km/h temporary speed restriction around Bayfair roundabout
• a 50km/h temporary speed restriction across SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange extending to Concord Avenue
• a 50km/h temporary speed restriction on Truman Lane, changing to a 30km/h temporary speed restriction on the approach to the SH29A roundabout

Many of Bay Link’s work zones are next to live traffic, increasing the risk of road workers getting hit by a vehicle or loose debris. While Bay Link crews routinely work behind temporary barriers, temporary speed restrictions also help keep them safe from accidents.

Temporary speed restrictions also provide protection for road users from other vehicles and from potential vehicle damage as a result of driving too fast through a construction site.

We encourage everyone to adhere to the posted speeds and adjust to the conditions encountered through a site under temporary traffic management.

Recent progress on Bay Link

The impact of this summer’s weather events and heavy rainfall has been felt throughout Tauranga and the Bay Link project has been no exception. Construction is best suited to fine weather and months of above average rainfall have slowed expected progress. Nonetheless, the following work has been completed in recent weeks:

Bayfair end:

• Landscaping works have been underway alongside the pedestrian and cyclist underpass (pictured). Large boulders have been delivered and placed next to planter boxes. New permanent lights and the first of three CCTV camera poles have also been installed beside the underpass’ central open-air section.
• Multiple concrete pours have continued on the flyover, progressing structural elements of the bridge’s deck (pictured).
• The installation of permanent concrete barriers has begun along some edges of the flyover where there is no risk to live traffic.
• Reconstruction of the road’s subgrade has progressed immediately north of the roundabout (pictured), readying these areas for asphalting as outlined above.

Te Maunga end:

• Drainage has been installed on Truman Lane.
• Permanent asphalt has been placed in the canyon – a long, narrow work area on SH2 underneath SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange extending from TEL towards Exeter Street. The location of the single northbound lane has recently been switched from the canyon’s west side to the eastern half, opening up a new work area for the remaining road reconstruction to begin.
• Road reconstruction has been progressing in a small section of SH29A adjacent to the roundabout that is within the project’s extent of works (pictured). The westbound lanes have been switched onto this new surface.

Looking ahead

In addition to the asphalting at the Bayfair roundabout detailed above, the following activities are scheduled in coming months:

• Prior to the Bayfair flyover opening, barriers and service ducting need to be installed above and below the new bridge. This work will be carried out during night shifts with partial closures of Bayfair roundabout in place. More information will follow once the dates for this work are confirmed.
• Construction of new road will begin on the southern ramp of the Bayfair flyover ahead of the flyover’s opening in autumn.
• Road reconstruction remains a focus across the project – on Truman Lane (where two lanes between Bay of Plenty House Removers and the SH29A roundabout are currently expected to be restored in autumn) and on the canyon’s western side. Following the recent switch in the canyon, the old road surface has been removed as the first step in the replacement process.
• Construction continues on the TEL offramp which is nearing its full height.

More information

For more information on the Baypark to Bayfair Link upgrade project, contact us at baylink@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/baylink