3 February 2016 | NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty

Work on Tauranga’s $102M Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade project ramps up

Temporary fencing has been set up on the Omanu Golf Course as the first stage of the Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade ramps up.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty highway manager, Niclas Johansson says the temporary screens will help to protect golfers using the course and construction workers as they clear a site in preparation for the relocation of the railway line.

“The driving range will be unaffected by the works however there are minor impacts to the thirteenth hole of the golf course. The Transport Agency and Omanu Golf Course have been working together over the last few years to ensure disruption to players is minimised while the new railway line is constructed and the golf course is adjusted.”

Mr Johansson says the railway line is expected to be relocated by late 2016 and people can expect to see lots of action on the site before then.

“Our contractor, Fulton Hogan, began earthworks before Christmas in behind Owens Place retail park and so far they haven’t been visible from State Highway 2 / Maunganui Road, however over the coming months people will notice a lot of activity in this area,” he says.

“The earthworks, drainage, service relocations, noise and retaining wall construction that are underway are the first stage of the railway relocation.

“Once this work is completed KiwiRail will oversee the next part, constructing the foundation for the track (ballast), laying new track and installing signals.”

The finished Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade project will see two flyovers built on SH2. One will take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven roundabout and the second will take SH29A over the railway line and the Te Maunga intersection.

It will reduce congestion and improve safety by separating local and state highway traffic, and encourage economic growth in the region by improving the route to the Port of Tauranga.

The Transport Agency aims to have the flyovers open to traffic in 2020.

The Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade will connect to the $455 million Tauranga Eastern Link, completing what is known as the ‘Eastern Corridor’ for the Bay of Plenty.

The Eastern Corridor provides an efficient and safe route to the Port of Tauranga, encouraging economic growth and productivity in line with the strategic direction set by the 2015 Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport.

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