Design funding for Bayfair to Baypark link approved

The NZ Transport Agency has approved $5.4million in funding to cover the initial design of the Bayfair to Baypark link, a roading project that is set to reshape a stretch of State Highway 2 (SH2) in Tauranga.

The funding allocation is an important milestone in the project that will see two flyovers built on SH2; one will take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven intersection and the second will take State Highway 29 (SH29) over the railway line and the Te Maunga intersection.

The Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty Highway Manager Niclas Johansson says once complete, the project will reduce congestion, increase safety for motorists and cyclists, and improve the route to the Port of Tauranga.

“It’s great news that the Transport Agency’s board have approved the initial design funding" Mr Johansson says.

“This is an exciting project that will allow direct access from SH29 to Baypark and Truman Lane and will see the East Coast Main Trunk railway line relocated behind Owens Place. A shared pedestrian and cycle path from Owens Place to Baypark is also proposed as part of the plan.”

The Transport Agency has issued a tender calling for initial designs to support the project as it moves forward.

Mr Johansson says the tender closes on December 16, with an evaluation period to follow. The contract will be awarded in March 2015.

“The initial design contract provides an opportunity to create the concept design and work alongside the Transport Agency as its Principal Agent and monitor the construction phase of the Bayfair to Baypark link,” Mr Johansson says.

The design phase is expected to take approximately 12 months, with a tender for the physical works to be released after that.

Subject to funding approvals, construction of the Bayfair to Baypark link is expected to start in early 2017.

Regular updates on the project, along with animated flyover and drive-through videos that showed what the link will look like can be found at: www.nzta.govt.nz/b2b

END

© Scoop Media