Tauranga City Council is pleased to announce the partial opening of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange today, enabling use of the eastbound off-ramp for motorists.

The new off-ramp will provide access to Pāpāmoa East from the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, while construction of the wider interchange continues before it fully opens next year.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the off-ramp is opening nine months ahead of schedule, describing it as “a fantastic result and a great example of councils and central government working together for the benefit of the community“.

“Together, we achieved a great, pragmatic outcome for the people of Tauranga, and I thank everyone for saying ‘yes’ and getting this done,” said Drysdale.

Pāpāmoa ward councillor Steve Morris agreed having the off-ramp open from today is a win for the local community.

“Use of the off-ramp will have an immediate and positive impact on traffic flows along the Domain Rd and Tara Rd interchange. This will be felt by all Pāpāmoa residents and allow everyone to get to their destination quicker.”

Morris emphasised that use of the off-ramp is through an active construction site, which means it comes with restrictions on speed and a duty of extra care on drivers.

From August 26, drivers who want to access Pāpāmoa East can travel along State Highway 2 (the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road) and exit via the Pāpāmoa East Interchange off-ramp.

The new off-ramp will provide access to Pāpāmoa East from the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road. Image / Supplied

Signage will indicate a reduced speed of 50km/h when travelling through the active construction site.

The journey continues via the western side of Te Okuroa Drive only – all other access points to and from the interchange remain closed until its completion.

The eastbound on-ramp facilitates construction traffic and activity as part of ongoing interchange construction, and the westbound ramps are dependent on the completion of the bridge itself.

Consultation on proposed tolling for the use of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange by project partner NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) closes this Thursday.

More information on the proposal and a link to the consultation is available at nzta.govt.nz/teltolling.

As the off-ramp at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange is opening early, NZTA has proposed a toll-free period of 12 months, for users of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road between the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and the Domain Rd Interchange.

Normal tolls apply to drivers using the full Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road.

To find out more about the Pāpāmoa East Interchange and partial opening, visit https://letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/pei