The opening of the Tauranga Eastern Link is a huge milestone to celebrate for the Bay of Plenty region, says the Automobile Association.

The previous stretch of State Highway 2 from Mount Maunganui to the intersection with State Highway 33 was rated the fourth-riskiest route in the country in 2012, in terms of collective crash risk. The Tauranga Eastern Link will make for much safer travel between Tauranga and Paengaroa.

“The fact that the new Tauranga Eastern Link road is a multi-lane, divided highway with modern safety features is going to mean less people are hurt in crashes. That’s something everyone wants to see,” says AA infrastructure spokesman Barney Irvine.

As well as the safety benefits, the new highway is going to reduce travel times for people and businesses and increase economic opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing regions.

“The AA congratulates everyone who has been involved in this massive project. Completing 21km of world-class highway ahead of time and on budget is a great result,” says Mr Irvine.

“Kiwis who’ve driven overseas often talk about how great the highways are – well the Tauranga Eastern Link and the other Roads of National Significance projects are creating safe, smart, high-speed roads that will be just as much of a pleasure to drive on.”

The Tauranga Eastern Link is having its official opening ceremony today and vehicles will be able to drive on it from Monday.

It is the second of the Government’s seven Roads of National Significance project to be completed, following the Victoria Park Tunnel in Auckland.

For more information contact:

Barney Irvine
Principal Advisor – Infrastructure
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 966 8608
M. +64 27 839 9309
E. birvine@aa.co.nz