6 December 2021: After 18 months of technical assessment and detailed design, the Fulton Hogan/HEB JV has been awarded the construction contract for the Western Bay of Plenty’s Takitimu North Link. This is an artist’s impression of an overbridge interchange – a collection of three bridges acting as on and off ramps on the 6.8km shared path.
The $655 million, five-year project will involve three million cubic metres of earthworks, eight bridges, 29 culverts, eight stream diversions and the development of seven wetlands. Takitimu North Link is part of the $8.7 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme for road, rail, public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.
JV project director Tony Gallagher says the team is ready to go, and brings significant joint local experience, having already built the Tauranga Eastern Link.
The shared path runs between State Highway 29, Takitimu Drive Toll Road and Te Puna. It provides an alternative to State Highway 2 and will keep trucks away from local roads, improve safety and accessibility, and increase choice of transport types for the rapidly growing community.
