Interchange starting to take shape

The Mangatawa interchange, one of seven bridges being built for the NZ Transport Agency's $455 million five-year Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) project is starting to take shape.

Fill for the first of three mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) walls, and the embankment on the Truman Lane side of the interchange, is in place. At the top of the MSE wall a total of 600 sandbags, each filled with 1cu m of sand, have been placed as part of the pre-load.

Behind the sandbags more pre-load material will be placed - up to a height of 3.5m - and will sit for approximately 18 months while settlement takes place.

The interchange, located between Te Maunga and Bruce Rd on State Highway 2, will provide future access to Papamoa via Sandhurst Dr and Mangatawa.

The TEL, made up of 17km of new road and the upgrading of 6km of the existing state highway, is expected to be completed in 2016.

The TEL will be the biggest roading construction project ever undertaken in the Bay of Plenty.

Visit the TEL website www.nzta.govt.nz/tel for regular updates on the project progress.