Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

One of this government's key planks for economic growth is investment in infrastructure. In addition to significant increases in public asset spending since National has been in office, in the next four years we will undertake a $34 billion investment programme to ensure New Zealanders have the roads, public transport networks, schools, hospitals, broadband and other infrastructure we need for our future.

In the last fortnight, it has been a pleasure to be involved in the opening of two significant public assets in Tauranga that will be of substantial benefit to our city and the wider region for many years to come.

Tauranga Hospital Building 50

In May, Health Minister and Bay of Plenty MP Hon Tony Ryall opened Tauranga Hospital's Building 50, formerly known as the East Wing. It is the final stage in the Bay of Plenty District Health Board's $157 million building and refurbishment project in Tauranga.

Hon Tony Ryall, Simon Bridges, current Bay of Plenty DHB chair Sally Webb and former chair Mary Hackett at the opening of Building 50.

The building itself cost about $25 million and now houses an extended and upgraded Medical Day Stay Ward and an Endoscopy Unit as well as ICU and Coronary Units. Many of you will know this building as the one that has gone up over recent months as you drive past 17th Avenue on Cameron Road.

Despite tough economic times we are growing and improving health services here in the Bay of Plenty.

Pyes Pa Bypass

Last Saturday Transport Minister Hon Steven Joyce came to Tauranga and officially opened the $55 million Pyes Pa Bypass Road. This 4.5km road links SH36 with Route K to help bring the cities of Rotorua and Tauranga closer together and ensure quicker, more efficient trips for exporters to the Port. In addition, the new route will clear a lot of unwanted traffic from increasingly urbanised sections of Pyes Pa and The Lakes. This will allow families to enjoy being families while business gets on with business.

Personally, I am very excited about the future for people in the suburbs of Pyes Pa and The Lakes. In years to come, I believe these will be some of the most dynamic parts of the Western Bay of Plenty. For this reason, active investigation is also going into the $50 million Tauriko Bypass.