One westbound lane on SH2/Fifteenth Ave is now closed through to mid-2026 for work to build a new bridge connection.

The entrance to Edgecumbe Road from SH2 will also be closed while major works take place, said a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesperson.

A full overnight closure of the westbound lanes on SH2/Fifteenth Ave and Cameron Road took place between 7pm and 5am on Sunday, September 15, while concrete barriers were being installed for ongoing traffic management of this area.

Works, part of the Takitimu North Link project, involve building a 120m large retaining wall and earthworks, prior to construction of a new 128m bridge connecting to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

"People passing through this area will see the existing retaining wall near Edgecumbe Road removed, vegetation cleared, service relocations and earthworks continue with around 8000 cubic metres of material to be removed.

"The construction of the retaining wall will start mid-October.

"Once this has been completed the construction of the new Fifteenth Ave bridge connection will start."

An artist's impression of the new highway and bridge connection.

This area will be in construction for approximately two years.

Local people and those passing through this area should be prepared for disruption over the construction season, there will be delays as we complete this work.

"The new connection from SH2/Fifteenth Ave to Takitimu Drive Toll Road/State Highway 29 will be built as part of the Takitimu North Link project – providing a better-connected journey for people travelling from Tauranga towards Te Puna, Tauriko and Lower Kaimai," said a council spokesperson.

Link to further information http://Link to further information https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/takitimu-north-link/docs/sh2-fifteenth-ave-connection-to-sh29-information-sheet-september-2024.pdfhttps://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/takitimu-north-link/docs/sh2-fifteenth-ave-connection-to-sh29-information-sheet-september-2024.pdf