Te Maunga interchange, at the State Highway 2 and 29A intersection at Baypark, will fully open to traffic soon.
The interchange has been operating without its fourth ramp since its partial opening in 2022. The remaining ramp is scheduled to open in mid-August and will temporarily take all traffic from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa over the newly signalised interchange. This change will enable SH2 at ground level, underneath the interchange, to be completed.
The traffic switch, including opening the ramp, the commissioning of new traffic lights on Te Maunga interchange and the closure of SH2 northbound underneath the interchange, is scheduled to take place from Sunday 13 August to Wednesday 16 August and will mean changes for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa and SH29A from Maungatapu.
Jo Wilton, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty, is looking forward to completing another piece of the project’s puzzle.
“We’re in the last stages of the Bay Link project and this piece takes us a huge step closer to overall project completion,” Ms Wilton says.
“Opening the remaining ramp to traffic means changes for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa and SH29A from Maungatapu, and will require all drivers to use the newly signalised interchange with the current lane under the interchange temporarily closing.
“This will streamline traffic, removing the merge from two northbound lanes to one on Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) and simplifying lane selection for those travelling to the Bayfair roundabout or Bayfair flyover.
The new ramp is expected to open to the public under temporary traffic management from early morning on Tuesday 15 August and remain open during daytime hours (from approximately 6am to 7pm) until the traffic switch is completed, after which it will be open 24/7.
“For people travelling from SH2/Pāpāmoa we’re expecting traffic to be slower, due to the signalised interchange, but better managed which will improve flow at the Bayfair roundabout. Overall travel times may increase slightly following the initial period of adjustment for road users.
“While there’s further work required that needs to take place from now until opening date, we want people travelling from SH2/Pāpāmoa and SH29A/Maungatapu to be aware of the upcoming switch.
“Once open, the interchange will remain under temporary traffic management and people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area while everyone gets used to the new layout and the additional traffic lights, especially during morning and evening peak times.
“The opening of the remaining ramp means the final phase of construction work under the interchange can be completed, including the installation of fascia panels, construction of surface drainage, landscaping and finishing works.”
The opening of the ramp will introduce the remaining permanent traffic lights on the interchange at the intersection of SH2 and SH29A. These will apply to road users travelling in all directions including SH2 northbound towards Bayfair roundabout or the Bayfair flyover, and SH29A left onto SH2. For those travelling from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa to SH29A, the signals will provide for a left turn from SH2/TEL onto SH29A.
People travelling to Mount Maunganui, the port or the city centre will use the new ramp onto the signalised interchange and proceed straight onto SH2. When descending the interchange to travel north, the left lane will connect to the Bayfair roundabout and the right lane to the Bayfair flyover (removing the existing weave of northbound traffic on SH2 after the interchange). There will be traffic lights at the top of the interchange.
Traffic from SH2/Pāpāmoa/TEL travelling towards SH29A/Maungatapu will also use the new ramp onto the signalised interchange, turning left onto SH29A. The detour along Truman Lane will be removed.
The slip lane at the top of the interchange will be controlled by traffic lights for people travelling from SH29A to Mount Maunganui, the port or the city centre. When descending the interchange to travel north, the left lane will connect to the Bayfair roundabout and the right lane to the Bayfair flyover (removing the existing weave of northbound traffic on SH2 after the interchange).
The new traffic lights will also apply to people walking and cycling to/from the interchange and Truman Lane. The shared path between the interchange and Bayfair roundabout on the western side of SH2/Maunganui Road will remain closed until completion of the new signalised Bayfair roundabout and the Matapihi Road/Owens Place signalised intersection.
The opening of the off-ramp will be staged, with the work required for this traffic switch to take place over four consecutive night shifts. To enable the traffic switch, overnight road closures northbound between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange are required.
The work is currently scheduled to take place from Sunday 13 August to Wednesday 16 August (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night).
During these hours, SH2/TEL northbound will be fully closed between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. For road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards Bayfair roundabout or the Bayfair flyover, a signposted detour via Mangatawa Link Road, Truman Lane, SH29A roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will apply. This is the same detour that currently applies for road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL to SH29A.
The new ramp is expected to open to the public under temporary traffic management from early morning on Tuesday 15 August until approximately 7pm and remain open during daytime hours only (from approximately 6am to 7pm) until the traffic switch is completed, after which it will be open 24/7.
In addition, from Tuesday 8 August to Wednesday 9 August 2023 (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night) lane closures will be in place on SH29A in both directions at SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
If this work is delayed because of weather or other unforeseen issues, it will be carried out on the next suitable night/s.
Until late spring, SH2 under Te Maunga interchange will be closed to allow for the installation of fascia panels, construction of surface drainage, landscaping and finishing works.
People are asked to take extra care when travelling through the interchange as they get used to the new lane layout and the introduction of traffic lights. Delays are to be expected.
At completion of the Bay Link project, the interchange will carry all SH29A traffic to and from SH2 while road users travelling to/from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa and the Bayfair flyover will be able to travel underneath Te Maunga interchange.
Waka Kotahi thanks drivers, local residents and business for their patience.
More information about SH2/29A Te Maunga interchange, Baypark
SH2 and SH29A Te Maunga roundabouts in 2017.
SH2 and Te Maunga interchange in June 2023.
