46 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tauranga City Council: Papamoa East Interchange T T Karen Phelps Tauranga’s Interchange on track The interchange is expected to open by mid-2026 and will span the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (SH2). The project has been welcoming local schoolchildren to witness the construction process firsthand, offering them valuable insights into large-scale civil engineering. Construction of the $98 million Pāpāmoa East Interchange project in Tauranga is over halfway through, with crews now focusing on building bridge abutments ahead of a significant milestone – the installation of bridge beams across the motorway, expected in July or August. “Construction is progressing well. We’re on time and on budget. We’ve built good working relationships, especially with the head contractor, and we’re really pleased with what HEB Construction has delivered,” says Chris Barton, Tauranga City Council major projects director. The next phase of construction includes building the overbridge across the Tauranga Eastern Link, on- and off-ramps, as well as the connection between the Sands Avenue and the bridge and water infrastructure. The interchange is expected to open by mid-2026, and will span the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (SH2). It will give residents of Pāpāmoa East direct access to the motorway, alleviating pressure on existing routes and supporting future development in the rapidly growing area. In a unique initiative, the project has been welcoming local schoolchildren to witness the construction process firsthand, offering them valuable insights into large-scale civil engineering. “We have engaged with local schools to have the same group of kids come back once a year so they can learn about the process from start to completion,” explains Chris. “These students have come out twice to see the changes from bare earth to earthworks, and to more advanced construction. We’re really trying to offer a chance for kids to be a part of a major construction project in the local community integrated with educational opportunities in the classroom.” He says council is also hoping to inspire future careers in engineering and construction through the initiative. “It’s about creating some excitement with the kids regarding the different building aspects and roles involved in such projects, and the future career opportunities for budding engineers and tradies.” The project is a collaboration between Tauranga City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, with support from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Construction is managed by HEB Construction Ltd, guided by designers Bloxam Burnett & Olliver. Local iwi partners Te Kapu o Waitaha, Tapuika Iwi Authority, Ngā Pōtiki a Tamapahore Trust, and Te Rununga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū, are also involved in the project, including cultural monitoring during earthworks, naming of the bridge and an adjacent wetland, and the incorporation of cultural design elements and artwork. Tauranga’s population is expanding rapidly, with the Pāpāmoa area projected to grow to approximately 40,000 residents by 2043. Chris says the interchange is a critical part of the infrastructure needed to support this growth, enabling further development at Golden Sands and Wairākei. The project will provide faster travel between Pāpāmoa East neighbourhoods and Tauranga City Centre, Mount Maunganui, and other destinations. It will also create a more direct connection to the Rangiuru Business Park, once operational. “The completed interchange will not only serve current residents but also enable significant future growth in an area designated to provide over 6000 additional homes between 2024 and 2054 as part of Tauranga’s contribution to addressing New Zealand’s nationwide housing shortage.”
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