New places to play on the horizon for western Bay of Plenty
New views, experiences and places to play are on the horizon for the Western Bay with a new 6.8km shared walking and cycling path providing easy, safe, and fun options for travel.
The Takitimu North Link Stage One project is not just about building a road, it is about connecting communities and providing better and safer choices for people to move about the region.
A continuous and separate shared path will be built as part of the project, providing a safe and efficient connection for people cycling, riding e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards and walking.
Waka Kotahi is delivering the project as part of the Government’s $8.7 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme to provide growing communities with better travel choices that help people get where they’re going safely.
The path, connecting the Kopurererua Valley to Te Puna, will be built on the north side of the road, and provide regular access points to local roads and points of interest including Hakao/Minden Gully and the Wairoa River.
It will provide better transport choices, as well as opportunities for people to access and appreciate the beautiful environment we live in, and to learn about the rich archaeological and spiritual significance of this whenua.
The Takitimu North Link Stage One project intersects a distinctive cross section of the landscape north of Tauranga, incorporating flood plains, ridgelines and gullies. It has eight bridges that cross over or under the road.
The design has emerged after many conversations with the community, mana whenua and other key stakeholders and this mahi will continue while main construction gets underway.
Through all of the work to date with our partners and the community we are seizing opportunities that come out of the scale of this significant project. Exciting developments are ahead of us including Mātauranga Māori design, improvements to the environment and opportunities to enjoy the Wairoa Awa (River) in ways we have not experienced before.
The completed path will provide a cultural journey experience, with connections to cultural landscape features, and cultural artwork representing the seven hapū across the Takitimu North Link Stage One project area.
The shared path will become an important part of Tauranga’s transport network, which links Bethlehem and The Lakes to the CBD and Cameron Road.
The shared path will be on the north side of the road and there will be connections at Smiths Farm Access Road, Cambridge Road, Wairoa Road, Te Mete Road, and Minden Road for people to access and enjoy. The path will be separated from the vehicle lanes by a concrete barrier with pedestrian railing.
A continuous and separate shared active mode path will be built as part of the Takitimu North Link Stage One project to make it easier and safer for people to walk and bike. The new 6.8km shared path will also create new opportunities for people to access and appreciate the beautiful environment in the Western Bay, and to learn about the rich archaeological and spiritual significance of this whenua.
Kopurererua Valley pathway closure – detour in place from March 2022
A section of the Kopurererua Valley pathway will be closed permanently as construction on the Takitimu North Link Stage One project progresses, and work begins to construct the 6.8km shared path to Te Puna alongside the new road.
There is a detour available on the eastern side of State Highway 29 using the existing network. The detour will add about 2km to the journey when travelling from the BMX park / Cambridge Park towards Tauriko / Westridge, using the main cycleway coming from the CBD to Tauriko. The detour may change during other work in the area although signage will be in place.
There will be a lot of activity in this area while work takes place across several projects. Close by the Kopurererua Valley Reserve Restoration project is taking place and includes a new section of cycleway. Tauranga Moana hapū Ngāi Tamarāwaho, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council are leading the work on this significant project over the next three years.
The BMX Park and Cambridge Park will remain open throughout construction.
The cycling community can look forward to great experiences within Tauranga’s transport network and we thank everyone for their patience while this work takes place.
