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The Takitimu North Link is a significant project along the SH2 corridor

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Takitimu North Link

On 2 September 2020 an announcement was made regarding the renaming of one of the Bay of Plenty’s most significant projects, which forms part of this this corridor.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the hapū Treaty partners have formally renamed the two State Highway 2 NZ Upgrade Programme projects to Takitimu North Link.

Waka Kotahi General Manager Transport Services Brett Gliddon says the renaming of the Tauranga Northern Link and Ōmokoroa to Te Puna projects is a significant step to acknowledge the area’s cultural heritage and connect all who have mana whenua along the corridor.

The Takitimu North Link is part of the Government's NZ Upgrade Programme, which is a $6.8 billion investment to get our cities moving, to save lives and boost productivity in growth areas.

Read the media release.

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Keeping everyone safe

Drivers speeding through roadworks on our sites have created a challenge for contractors working on the project’s safety improvements.

The stretch of highway between Waihī and Ōmokoroa is considered one of New Zealand's most dangerous roads. Despite a steady stream of information in the mainstream media and on Waka Kotahi’s website and social media, some drivers continue to speed through this section of SH2. This endangers not only their lives, and the lives of other drivers, but also the lives of our roadworkers.

Waka Kotahi project manager Chris Farnsworth said setting up and dismantling the worksites had become especially risky for roadworkers. Contractors had installed steel barriers at some worksites to help protect them while working but these are not simple to install and remove each day.

“Drivers need to remember that our workers are real people with families,” he said.

“They are carrying out their jobs in a tough high speed, high risk environment day and night for the benefit of all who rely on the highway network between Waihī and Ōmokoroa.”

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Can driving between road cones

 
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SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements – construction update

Since our last update (May 2020), a significant amount of progress has been made on the various SH2 work sites, even through some challenging winter conditions.

Safety improvements along the first section, between Heath Road and Trig Road near Waihī, were completed in January. We’ve since laid a second layer of surfacing on the outer sections, along the side of the road where it has been widened. This was done to further waterproof the surface.

For the remaining nine sections, we have four main active construction sites underway: two north of Katikati and two south of the township, as well as preparation works in multiple sections. Key achievements and what we’re focussing on now are outlined below.

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Tanker spraying water on road

 
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North of Katikati

Trig Road to Athenree Gorge (Sections 2 and 3)

Sections 2 and 3, Trig Road to Mathers Road and Mathers Road to Athenree Gorge, have been combined.

Winter slowed progress as dry conditions are needed to move dirt and build roads. However, we have finished earthworks and road widening from Trig Road to Old Tauranga Road, and on the southbound lane from Old Tauranga Road to the Athenree Gorge.

Athenree Road to Tanners Point Road (Section 4)

All underground services (eg water, electricity and fibre) have now been located in this section. Information collected from the investigations is being used by the design team to finalise the detailed design for construction. Some ground investigations will continue in the coming months for future retaining structures.

Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road (Section 5)

As above, all underground services have been located and the information is being used by the design team to finalise the detailed design for construction. Some ground investigations will continue in the coming months.

Kauri Point Road to Lindemann Road (Section 6)

Tangata whenua held a blessing along this section of road in July and construction is now underway. Safety improvements along this stretch of road include:

  • Road widening
  • Installing a wide centreline to help separate oncoming traffic
  • Widening the road shoulders to give drivers more room
  • Installing roadside safety barriers where hazards can’t be removed, eg power poles, trees and deep ditches
  • Making improvements to intersections where we can, without impacting on property boundaries, including the addition of right turn lanes to Lindemann Road and Willoughby Road.
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Pine tree on side of road being felled onto paddock

 
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South of Katikati

Wharawhara Road to Sharp Road (Section 7)

The team has worked hard to get the road widening finished in this section before winter set in and the final road marking has also been completed. 

Over the coming months, this section of road will be finished off with signage and side barriers installed. The team are on target to complete this before Christmas.

Sharp Road to Sargent Road (Section 8)

Underground services such as water, electricity and fibre have been located. The team used a radar to pinpoint their location and then uncovered them by hydrovac, which involves high pressure water and suction. This non-digging method reduces the risk of accidentally cutting into a service line during earthworks. Information collected from this work is being used by the design team as they finalise the detailed design for construction.

Wainui South Road to Esdaile Road (Section 10)

Tangata whenua held a blessing in early July, prior to construction starting along this section.

Earthworks, drainage and widening works will continue over the coming months. To help keep traffic moving and keep our road workers and road users safe, this work will be completed behind temporary steel barriers once the initial preparation work is complete.

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Construction workers installing a power pole

 
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Blessing ceremony

Representatives of Pirirakau hapū, Carlton Bidois, and Ngai Tamawhariua hapū, Tiki Bluegum held a blessing for the start of works in July. This was followed by a cultural induction for staff and contractors.

Blessing ceremonies reflect the cultural values and opportunities identified from the tangata whenua advisory group supporting Waka Kotahi on the SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa project.

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Workers standing around wearing high-vis orange jackets with a man saying a blessing at dawn

 
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Thank you to the public and landowners

It is difficult to construct complex improvements without inconveniencing people.

Waka Kotahi, together with our contractors, is trying to minimise disruption for traffic and maintain reasonable flow through the worksites, while continuing to keep road workers and road users safe.

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More information

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For more information on our projects, contact us at bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz

SH2 Waihī to Tauranga www.nzta.govt.nz/Waihi2TGA

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa www.nzta.govt.nz/w2o

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