A three-month trial reopening of the Hairini St slip lane on to Turret Rd outside morning peak hours is under way.

The trial started on Monday, October 20 and is expected to run until January 20.

During morning peak hours of 6.30am to 9.30am, Monday to Friday, the slip lane would remain buses only for safety reasons, Tauranga City Council said in a statement.

A $150 fine may be issued if the slip lane is used during this time.

“The slip lane was closed to general traffic for public safety and efficiency reasons following the completion of the Maungatapu underpass and since July 2018 has been open to buses only,” the council said.

The council approved the trial reopening in July 2025 to allow Hairini residents and their visitors to use this lane to improve access to routes out of the community.

A map showing where the slip lane will intersect with Turret Rd. Image / Tauranga City Council

The reopening applies only to the slip lane.

The section of bus lane after the merge will remain a bus-only lane at all times. Any vehicles that continue in the bus lane past the designated merge point, at any time, also risk a $150 fine.

For more information about the trial visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/sliplanetrial