Cambridge Road Overbridge nears completion as part of the Takitimu North Link project

New Zealand

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, advises construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko, has entered its final phase, as part of the new 6.8km expressway project.

“This is one of three bridges nearing completion on the project which is really exciting progress. Cambridge Road is our busiest site on the project with 14,000 vehicles travelling through daily, and our crew is now focused on complex tie-in work to connect the new bridge which will result in a new road layout.

A diversion road is being built allowing traffic to flow past the site while construction continues. Once the diversion road is built, the existing Cambridge Road will be dug out and materials laid for the new road,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.

The work requires a three-month closure of a section of Moffat Road near Tauranga Adventist School. This will be a significant disruption to travel through this area with a diversion road in use, and local detours for light vehicles and heavy trucks to use State Highway 29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

People will have the opportunity to learn about what to expect at a community open day on Saturday 18 November.

“We are very keen to get out to the community to talk through these works and what to expect. We’ll be holding an Open Day at Bethlehem Hall, 239 State Highway 2, Bethlehem, on Saturday 18 November between 10.30am-1.30pm. Our team looks forward to answering questions people may have,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.

“This is a challenging job requiring coordination between multiple teams working on the bridge structure, utilities, drainage, earthworks, and pavement crews – as well as significant traffic management including detours, road and lane closures and temporary speed limits,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.

“Road users should expect disruption during this important phase of construction, there will be an inevitable impact for people who travel through this area. We are working with Tauranga City Council, schools, and residents on the impacts of this work,” says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.

The project is being carried out in three phases, the second phase starting in January, will see a full closure of a section of Moffat Road, between January and April 2024. A bylaw preventing the use of heavy trucks on the local detour means tolls on SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road will be lifted for heavy trucks during this phase.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is confirming that the new 100m bridge at Cambridge Road between Bethlehem and Tauriko will open to traffic in April, marking a major milestone for the Takitimu North Link project.

Once completed, the overbridge will become the new local road, linking Cambridge and Moffat roads, and allowing for the Takitimu North Link expressway to be built underneath.

“The completion of this bridge has been one of our more complex jobs, which now enables the expressway to be built underneath it. It is the first of eight bridge structures on the project to be completed,” says Jo Wilton, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

“Along with the new road layout at Cambridge, Moffat and Harrison roads, it will result in a safer Cambridge Road East intersection, with a better line of sight in this busy area of Tauranga.”

The bridge tie-in works required a three month local road closure with detours in place, enabled through partnership with Tauranga City Council. NZTA appreciates people living in surrounding residential streets experienced increased traffic volumes on local roads during this time.

“We would like to thank our project neighbours and local people for their support, cooperation, and patience during the building of the bridge and associated road closure. Our crew have been working six days a week to get the job done and are pleased to be able to open on schedule. We couldn’t do this without the support of the local community and our partners at Tauranga City Council,” Ms Wilton says.

In the next phase of work, with the bridge in use, the new Cambridge Road East intersection will be built. A section of Cambridge Road East from Moffat Road to St Andrews Roundabout will be closed while the new intersection joining onto Moffat Road is constructed. Detours will be in place for the closed section of Cambridge Road East.

There will be temporary speed reductions in place while this work is undertaken. Please follow on-site traffic signage and instructions from our team.

Find out more about progress and new road layout for Cambridge Road here.

Source: © 2023 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Image Source: © 2023 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

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