The New Zealand Transport Agency is taking over Route K and the associated Tauranga City Council debt in July 2015.

The road will have a name change and will be called the Takitimu Connection Toll Road.

The NZTA updated elected council members this week on their tolling operation.

A new electronic toll gantry is being installed on Route K. The system recognises the size of vehicles and their number plates and assigns the correct toll – for Route K the amount will be $1.80 for light vehicles and motorbikes and $4.80 for heavy vehicles.

People will be able to set up an account, which will link to their vehicle's registration plate. They can choose whether they want the account to be topped up automatically when it drops below a certain level or topped up manually at any time.

Like the Northern Gateway Toll Road the NZTA currently operates, people have five days to pay after going through the toll gantry, but if payment is not received an additional administration fee will be charged.

People will also be able to pay as they go; online, via the 0800 number or over-the-counter at selected service stations.

E-tags, as used in Australia, will not be needed under this system as all activity is tracked through the vehicle's registration plate.

Electronic toll collection will go live in conjunction with the Tauranga Eastern Link opening, anticipated in late July 2015. Thanks to the NZTA for this information.