A section of State Highway 2/15th Ave is expected to be closed for the next two years.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said one westbound lane on SH2/15th Ave will be closed from Sunday, September 15, through to mid-2026 for work to build a new bridge connection.
“The entrance to Edgecumbe Road from SH2 will also be closed while major works take place,” said a spokesperson.
“A full overnight closure of the westbound lanes on SH2/15th Ave and Cameron Rd will be in place between 7pm and 5am on Sunday while concrete barriers are being installed for ongoing traffic management of this area.”
NZTA said works, part of the Takitimu North Link project, involve building a 120m large retaining wall and earthworks, prior to construction of a new 128m bridge connecting to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road.
The works will affect people who use SH2/15th Ave.
“People passing through this area will see the existing retaining wall near Edgecumbe Road removed, vegetation cleared, service relocations and earthworks continue with around 8000 cubic metres of material to be removed.
“The construction of the retaining wall will start mid-October. Once this has been completed the construction of the new15th Ave bridge connection will start. This area will be in construction for approximately 2 years.
“Local people and those passing through this area should be prepared for disruption over the construction season, there will be delays as we complete this work.”
An artist's impression of the new highway and bridge connection.
Detours for Sunday, September 15.
- Northbound – Cameron Road to Elizabeth Street and onto SH2
- Southbound – Cameron Road to SH29A roundabout
The new connection from SH2/15th Ave to Takitimu Drive Toll Rd/SH29 will be built as part of the Takitimu North Link project – providing a better-connected journey for people travelling from Tauranga towards Te Puna, Tauriko and Lower Kaimai.
Link to further information https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/takitimu-north-link/docs/sh2-fifteenth-ave-connection-to-sh29-information-sheet-september-2024.pdf
- SunLive
4 comments
Future Proofing
Posted on 11-09-2024 15:51 | By Yadick
So the new bridge from 15th Ave is to be single lane only . . . The foresight in the future proofing is amazing. Almost as amazing as the idea of a congestion tax.
I guess Turret Rd bridge wouldn't be a good example or 15th Ave current peak hour congestion . . .
@Yadick
Posted on 11-09-2024 16:52 | By Captain Hottie
Maybe the good folk of Bethlehem will now realise the pain and suffering those who live in Welcome Bay have to go through with our pitiful 1 lane road (even the new tunnel is only 1 lane!). However at least there's an end in sight for them, with better connections. We have to endure council commissioning endless reports and reinventing the wheel every 3 years.
Question
Posted on 12-09-2024 06:12 | By Carljnz
So is the new 15th Ave on-ramp going to take two years to build? That seems insanely long if so…
Do it once, Do it... AGAIN!
Posted on 12-09-2024 07:49 | By Wigan
Wherever you look we seem to be locked into this system of doing half assed jobs, then coming back to to fix it or do it again. I fully realise it is all about the cost, but we should be aiming at a better strike rate for getting it right 1st time. Turret Rd, Welcome Bay mentioned above... My bug bear Te Puna. Fix a bit of road, pack up & leave. Come back 2 weeks later & start on the next bit of road. This to COMPLETELY rebuild a section that was only constructed 5 years ago. Who would put up with that kind of crap if they got a contractor to do work around their home?
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.