Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A small section of Maunganui Road between the Bayfair roundabout and Exeter Street is temporarily closing for reconstruction of the ground level road as part of the Bay Link project.
From early morning Wednesday 7 June 2023 this section of road will be closed until early spring and a detour for people travelling locally will be in place. Following the full closure, the road will then be open but reduced to one lane until late spring to enable completion of footpaths, driveways and other elements. The new Bayfair flyover won’t be impacted by this closure and continue to provide for most traffic travelling on SH2.
Jo Wilton, Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, explains that closing this road is the next step in a carefully sequenced programme. It’s only possible now that the flyover has opened, under temporary traffic management, and subsequently reduced traffic on ground level roads.
“We’ve seen that people have embraced the new flyover and new travel patterns have settled in. This means, especially at peak time, traffic on local roads has been reduced with people using the flyover for their travels, allowing us to close a section of the ground level road,” says Ms Wilton.
“We only close roads for an extended period if there is an acceptable alternative route in place for the expected number of vehicles, and a significant benefit expected for the community and the project. Closing the ground level road allows work to progress more efficiently than it would with a single lane closure. The flyover will continue to provide for most traffic travelling on SH2 between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL)/Pāpāmoa, and SH29A/Maungatapu.
“To futureproof the area, all existing roads within the extent of the Bay Link site are being replaced to support heavier, and a higher number of, vehicles.
“The final phase of road reconstruction at the Bayfair roundabout is already underway and involves reconstructing all ground-level roads leading into and away from the Bayfair roundabout. This work is being completed in stages, with each requiring traffic layouts that will temporarily change the way people navigate the area.
“At the same time, work continues to upgrade the new signalised Bayfair roundabout which will improve safety and accessibility and transform how people on all modes move through the area at project completion.
“We would like to thank road users, businesses and residents for their ongoing patience as we continue to work towards project completion in late 2023.”
What this closure means for people travelling locally
People travelling locally towards SH2/29A Te Maunga interchange will not be able to exit the Bayfair roundabout onto Maunganui Road, southbound. A detour will be available via Girven Road, Maranui Street and Sandhurst Drive. This detour will apply for all light vehicles travelling towards SH2/TEL or SH29A from Bayfair Shopping Centre’s Maunganui Road and Girven Road exits, Matapihi Road (including HomeZone) or Girven Road (including Baywave).
The current temporary speed limit of 30 km/h remains in place around the Bayfair roundabout.
What this means for people travelling on SH2
Road users travelling from Mount Maunganui, the city centre or the port will continue using the new Bayfair flyover to access SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange for SH29A/ Maungatapu/Welcome Bay or TEL/Pāpāmoa. Adjustments to the lanes approaching Te Maunga interchange have been made to improve traffic flow. Both lanes at the top of the interchange now proceed straight onto TEL, while the right lane also provides for a right turn towards SH29A.
Road users are reminded that the existing detour route via Mangatawa Link Road and Truman Lane will continue to apply for those wishing to connect with SH29A from Sandhurst interchange. This detour is in place while the final off-ramp from TEL is under construction. This is currently expected to open to the public in mid-winter.
What this means for heavy vehicles over 12m long
The detour route via Girven Road, Maranui Street and Sandhurst Drive is not for use by vehicles over 12m. Vehicles of this length will need to detour via Maunganui Road north, a full turn around Golf Road roundabout before travelling back along SH2 over the Bayfair flyover towards the SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
The flyover has a temporary speed limit of 50 km/h.
This closure is expected to be in place until early spring, assuming favourable weather and ground conditions. We encourage all road users to allow extra time, share the roads with care and patience, and follow directions.
Road reconstruction on the northbound side of Maunganui Road is already underway with a single lane available on Maunganui Road northbound from opposite Exeter Street, through the Bayfair roundabout to opposite Concord Avenue, on Maunganui Road southbound from Concord Avenue to Bayfair roundabout and around the Bayfair roundabout. Temporarily reducing the road to a single lane allows this reconstruction to be completed safely alongside live traffic, and as efficiently and quickly as possible.
No change for people walking and cycling
People walking, cycling or using a scooter, mobility scooter or wheelchair to travel between Bayfair Shopping Centre and Baypark will continue using the existing signposted route via Eversham Road, Exeter Street and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. There is no footpath currently available on Maunganui Road between the Bayfair roundabout and Exeter Street.
Find out more at:
nzta.govt.nz/baylinkdetour
Bayfair roundabout and flyover (April 2023).
Detour for people travelling locally to TEL/Pāpāmoa and SH29A/Maungatapu.
