A new connection is set to open in Tauriko with the completion of the fourth and final leg of the State Highway 29 Redwood Lane roundabout.

The roundabout, part of the Tauriko Enabling Works project, opened to traffic in May this year while work continued on the Kaweroa Drive extension.

That work was now complete, and the connection would officially open to traffic on Saturday, November 15.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) acting regional manager infrastructure delivery, Darryl Coalter, said this marked a major milestone for the project.

The Redwood Lane roundabout is a new connection to the Tauriko Business Estate and State Highway 3. Image / Supplied

“This roundabout is one of four key intersection upgrades being delivered through the Tauriko Enabling Works,” said Coalter.

“It will improve safety, provide a vital new connection, and unlock further access to the Tauriko Business Estate.

“The new Kaweroa Drive link will make it easier for industrial and commercial traffic to reach businesses within the estate, while helping to spread traffic more evenly between SH29 and SH36.

“It also includes new pedestrian signals to improve safety for people walking and cycling in the area.”

Tauriko ward councillor Marten Rozeboom said the Kaweroa Drive extension was another key piece of infrastructure that’s been completed at pace and would connect future residential, employment and commercial areas.

“Progress has occurred fast in this area and it’s great to see this extension opening before the end of the year, with momentum continuing.”

Tauranga City Council would monitor traffic volumes on local roads in the business estate once the connection to the Redwood Lane roundabout was open.

The opening of the Kaweroa Drive link also enabled work to start on a new connection between Belk Rd and Taurikura Drive, within the Tauriko Business Estate, which in turn would allow for closure of the existing SH29/Belk Rd intersection.

The roundabout would stay in its temporary layout for the rest of the year, with one lane in each direction on SH29 and a reduced speed limit of 50km/h.

This allowed work to continue on the additional SH29 lanes, opening the pedestrian and cyclist underpass, and finishing the landscaping.

Once completed, the roundabout would have two lanes in each direction on SH29.

All work in the Redwood Lane section was on track to be completed by early 2026.

Meanwhile, in Tauriko Village, the project has recently marked one year of construction.

Crews began work in mid-September 2024 and the area has since been transformed, laying the groundwork for future development.

This includes a new intersection, road (Te Ara Hoia Drive), and carpark for Tauriko School and Playcentre.

Construction continued to widen SH29 through the village and prepare SH29/Cambridge Rd for a new, signalised intersection.

For more information, visit the project website here.