Safer journeys on SH2 Baypark to Bayfair

Road users will soon enjoy the safety benefits of separating state highway traffic from local roads on Bay Link.

State Highway 2 under SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will reopen in late October, providing a direct through route for people travelling between the Bayfair flyover and Pāpāmoa/Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL).

The existing weave between SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange and the Bayfair flyover will be permanently removed in both directions and safety barriers installed; making it safer for everyone by separating State Highway 2 from Maunganui Road.

Jo Wilton, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty, is looking forward to reopening two lanes under SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.

“Opening those lanes back up to traffic brings us another step closer to making it safer for everyone by separating people travelling on the state highway from local traffic,” says Ms Wilton.

"With this comes more change for drivers, both for SH2 and SH29A. These are significant changes which will require everyone to navigate the area with caution especially with people needing to make sure they are in the correct lanes depending on their destination.”

The lanes are expected to reopen to traffic from early morning on Wednesday 25 October, weather dependent.

They will initially be available during daytime hours only, with around-the-clock access expected to be restored from Saturday 28 October 2023. Overnight road closures will be in place in the lead up to the opening of the lanes, please follow detours.

New SH2 through-route.

Changes for all road users

• A SH2 lane in each direction will reopen under SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
• SH2 will be separated from local traffic between SH2/29A Te Maunga interchange and the Bayfair flyover. The weave between state highway and local roads will be removed.
• Choose your lanes early when approaching SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange or the Bayfair flyover, depending on your destination.
• Stay low for local access to Bayfair and Matapihi areas, as well as SH29A access.
• To access Baypark/Truman Lane from Mount Maunganui or the city centre, stay low and use Bayfair roundabout, Maunganui Road and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
• SH2 lanes will open under temporary traffic management with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h.

For people travelling on SH2 between Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui or the city centre

• Use the lanes under SH2/SH29 Te Maunga interchange and over the Bayfair flyover for a direct through route between Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui or the city centre.

For people travelling to and from SH29A and Baypark, Matapihi and Bayfair

• Continue using the Bayfair roundabout and the signalised SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange to access SH29A, Matapihi and Bayfair areas.
• For people travelling from Mount Maunganui or the city centre to Baypark or Truman Lane use either:
  • Maunganui Road at ground level, Bayfair roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange
  • the Bayfair flyover, TEL and Sandhurst interchange
• Once on the Bayfair flyover, there will be no access to the signalised SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
• Once on the SH2 lanes underneath SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange, there will be no access to Bayfair roundabout.

Access for people walking and cycling

There will be no change for people walking and cycling.

Works in the lead up to opening the lanes

The lanes are expected to be available to traffic from early morning on Wednesday 25 October, weather dependent. They will initially be available during daytime hours only (approximately 6am to 7pm), with around-the-clock access expected to be restored from Saturday 28 October 2023.

An overnight closure of SH2 northbound from Sandhurst interchange to SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will be in place. Please follow the detour via Sandhurst interchange, Mangatawa Link Road, Truman Lane, SH29A roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.

An overnight closure of the TEL onramp from SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will also be required. A detour via Truman Lane, Mangatawa Link Road and Sandhurst interchange will apply.

Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress. People travelling while this work is underway, are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site.

Find out more at nzta.govt.nz/temaunga

Baypark to Bayfair Link flyover lanes.

SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange concept drawing with a lane in each direction open underneath the interchange.

Bayfair flyover night closures

To minimise disruption to people travelling through the area, the Bayfair flyover is also scheduled to fully close for four consecutive nights starting Tuesday 24 October, to allow for rails to be fitted and asphalt to be prepared for the application of final surfacing. Access through the Bayfair and Matapihi area will be available via the ground level roads around the roundabout.

The work is currently scheduled to take place from Tuesday 24–Friday 27 October from approximately 7pm to 6am each night, nights only.

For people travelling through the area, these temporary changes will be in place:

• Road users travelling from TEL/Pāpāmoa or SH29A/Maungatapu merge into a single lane after SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange and use the Bayfair roundabout to travel towards Mount Maunganui or the city centre.

• Road users travelling from Mount Maunganui or the city centre use the Bayfair roundabout to travel towards SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.

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