We have been very interested in this project since its inception because we travel this way often. The highway now cuts across from Paengaroa to Baypark Stadium near Mt Maunganui, taking about 10 minutes off the original drive and missing out Te Puke. It is a safer drive and is expected to be good for transport of exports etc as well.
Ratepayers were asked whether a toll could be taken on it (making completion quicker) and this was accepted.
($2 per car and $5 per truck)
The road was started in 2010 and finished and opened August 2015.
"This project involves approximately 550,000 square metres of new road, over three million cubic metres of earthworks, and construction of seven bridges. New intersections constructed for Sandhurst Drive, Domain Road, and Paengaroa junction (SH2/33) as well as a new overbridge for Parton Road, and underpass for Maketu Road. Extensive landscaping involved planting approximately 300,000 native plants."