Construction on the State Highway 29 Tauriko Village and Cambridge Road section of the Tauriko Enabling Works is ramping up with sheet piling underway ahead of retaining wall works on Cambridge Road. 

The upgrade of the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection is a key part of the project, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotah Regional Manager - Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty (Acting) Bruce Waugh said.

"It will be a much safer and more efficient intersection, including a new connection to Whiore Avenue for buses and people walking and cycling wanting to access Tauriko Business Estate." Waugh said.

“In order to upgrade the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection with traffic lights, we first need to build a retaining wall on Cambridge Road to ensure the road is safe and wide enough to accommodate increased traffic in the future."

Waugh said work is underway to install temporary sheet piles which involves driving interlocking steel sheets into the ground to create a barrier to support excavation and resist soil and water movement.

"This will help to stabilise this section of Cambridge Road before work on the retaining wall can begin," Waugh said.

“From early January, we’ll be closing a narrow section of Cambridge Road. This requires further traffic management, and local residents, businesses and visitors should be prepared for disruption to their journeys over the construction period, particularly from Monday 6 January to early February 2025.

“This work has been scheduled to take place in January, to minimise overall disruption to the travelling public by maximising works during the school holidays.” 

Cambridge Road lane closure from January 6 – early February 2025 

A short section of the northbound lane on Cambridge Road, from the SH29 intersection to 563 Cambridge Road, will be closed to complete the narrower section of sheet piling. Temporary traffic management will be in place throughout the duration of these works and will include lane shifts, a northbound lane closure, reduced speed limits and mobile operations: 

·         24/7 Cambridge Road lane closure and detour for Bethlehem-bound traffic: All SH29 Bethlehem-bound vehicles will be required to use alternative routes via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road or SH29A and Cameron Road.  

·         The southbound lane will remain open. 

·         A 60km/h speed limit will apply on SH29 on all approaches to the intersection, and a 30km/h speed limit on the section of Cambridge Road around the work site. 

·         Local residents, businesses and visitors should be prepared for moderate disruption in the area during this time. 

·         For people travelling from the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection to Bethlehem town centre, the detour routes for Bethlehem-bound traffic are expected to take approximately 15 minutes to travel via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road, and approximately 22 minutes via SH29A and Cameron Road. 

·         Work will occur Monday to Saturday, between 7am and 6pm, to complete this work as quickly as possible.  

·         Access for Cambridge Road residents from SH29 will be via the detours. We acknowledge the inconvenience this causes to residents and are committed to completing this work as quickly as possible. 

Reminder: There will be stop/go traffic management on Cambridge Road tomorrow Wednesday December 11 for the relocation of a power pole between 561 and 587 Cambridge Road.

This is in preparation for a new signalised intersection with SH29. 

Road users and the local community should prepare for: 

·         Moderate traffic delays on Wednesday December 11 between 9am to 4pm. There will be stop/go, a 30km/h temporary speed limit, and lane and shoulder closures in place on Cambridge Road (between 561 and 587).  

·         Power outages are planned for the duration of this work. Impacted property owners will be notified by their power providers. 

This work is weather dependent, and dates may change.  NZTA thanks drivers, local residents and business for their patience. 

Additional information 

"From late January 2025, we’ll begin work on the retaining wall, which is a key step that allows us to widen the road to accommodate increased traffic and a shared path," Waugh said.

"Building the retaining wall is complex due to the location, the surrounding geography, and traffic volumes on Cambridge Road; and the construction of the 210m-long concrete wall itself with a steep gully on one side to contend with. Multiple underground services also need to be installed including power, water and fibre."

Waugh said once the retaining wall is completed, there will be a lane shift on Cambridge Road to allow intersection and drainage works on the other side of Cambridge Road to begin. 

"Throughout 2025, you will see the new signalised intersection start to take shape. Upgrading this intersection to a signalised intersection requires careful planning and consideration to manage the same volumes of traffic currently travelling through it. This includes undertaking work in stages and temporary road layout changes to minimise the impact of construction works on the community until the intersection is completed in 2027," Waugh said.

"People are asked to drive with extra care through the SH29/Cambridge Road area, while people adjust to the new traffic conditions, allow extra time for their journeys and follow any signage or instructions provided by road workers."

The SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works are being delivered by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi together with Tauranga City Council. Downer is delivering the construction for the project.  For more information click here: nzta.govt.nz/tauriko-enabling-works 

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