Alert Level 3 work resumption at Bay Link

We trust that you and your family have kept safe during the Level 4 lockdown period.

In line with the Government’s response to COVID-19, the Baypark to Bayfair Link site has been closed during Alert Level 4. In conjunction with Government, planning is underway to restart significant nationwide roading projects, including Bay Link.

During Alert Level 3, work on capital projects that were stopped under Alert Level 4 are able to re-commence, however each project will adhere to strict health and safety protocols for workers and road users. Each project that resumes is required to have a specific COVID-19 Plan to work safely at Level 3, which aligns with strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ). For more information about this, please visit the COVID-19 response section on the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.

Construction work at Bay Link is anticipated to resume at Alert Level 3 from Tuesday 28 April 2020. The transition back to on-site work is different for every project and, while some activity on-site can start straight away, it may take some time for sites to be fully operational.

Crews will go through a COVID-19 induction and learn the new practices and protocols for the site to keep them, the surrounding community and road users safe.

If you are travelling, please drive with care through the project site, reduce your speed and follow the directions provided on traffic management signage.

Please remember our project helpline - 0508 222 4636 – remains operational if you have any queries about the Bay Link project.

Bay Link underpass update

The Bay Link project team is pleased to confirm the walking and cycling underpass, located north of the Bayfair roundabout, is going ahead.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency recognises the importance the community places on a crossing under the state highway and have strived to achieve this in partnership with Beca, Tonkin + Taylor, Jacobs, CPB Contractors, and alongside Tauranga City Council.

In October 2019, Waka Kotahi committed to looking at two options; retaining and extending the existing underpass (Option 5) or constructing a pedestrian and cycling overbridge approximately 700m from the Bayfair roundabout (Option 14).

Thorough technical investigations were undertaken to ensure an underpass could be included at this stage of construction and the additional funding could be secured. The investigation showed retaining the existing underpass isn’t possible and the current structure will need to be demolished, with a new one built.

To achieve the underpass, the Bayfair flyover will require an additional bridge span, taking it from a three-span to a four-span bridge. The underpass will be made up of two separate, specially strengthened box culverts linked by an open-air trench under the new bridge span, north of the SH2 Maunganui Road/Girven Road roundabout at Bayfair. The height and width of the new underpass will be similar to the existing structure and the total length will be approximately 90 metres long.

Detailed design is already underway. Many of the project team are working on further planning and design works.

In coming months, the existing underpass will need to close, with a second temporary signalised crossing on the Bayfair side required, to help facilitate construction of the new underpass.

Costed at $26 million, the underpass is recognised as a key link in Tauranga’s cycling network and is regularly used by residents and school children walking and cycling between Matapihi, Bayfair and Arataki. The $26 million investment is in addition to the $120 million Bay Link State Highway Improvements.

The full implication of how the Bay Link construction programme will be affected and extended by the works is being considered.

More information

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

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