New Takitimu North Link Flyover Bridge Opens in Bay of Plenty, NZ

A 367‑metre flyover on State Highway 29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road has opened to traffic in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. The bridge spans the Kōpūrererua Valley Reserve, one of Australasia’s largest urban wetlands, and forms part of the 6.8 km four‑lane Takitimu North Link expressway linking Tauranga and Te Puna.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the opening marks a key milestone for the Road of National Significance project, which aims to improve reliability, resilience and safety for road users and freight operators. The structure was built from giant pre‑cast concrete beams, supported by 14 piles – the deepest reaching 67 m – after around 400,000 m³ of earthworks.

The flyover sits between Tauriko and Tauranga CBD, with a slip lane for movements toward Tauriko and a new roundabout under construction to provide entry onto the Takitimu North Link. With earthworks and ten major structures nearing completion, the project moves into paving and drainage phases, targeting full completion by 2028.