Council’s City Delivery Committee endorsed the project to progress to the next phase of design at a meeting on 5 August.
“This is an important milestone,” says Committee Chair and Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular. “It means we can now move forward with detailed design work across the rest of the Fifteenth Avenue to Welcome Bay travel route.”
The Fifteenth Avenue to Welcome Bay upgrade is designed to reduce peak-hour congestion and improve travel times, improve safety - especially at intersections - and provide better access for people walking and cycling.
Council is also exploring an option to build a separate walking and cycling bridge alongside the existing bridge, rather than attaching a clip-on bridge.
“Work is underway to assess this option, which could reduce construction disruption and improve long-term durability,” says Deputy Mayor Jen.
Conversation in the community has already turned to how much disruption can be expected when both the Fifteenth Avenue to Welcome Bay and Cameron Road upgrades are under construction.
Director Major Projects Jane Small says the team knows construction on key routes can affect every-day travel.
“That’s why we’re working closely to carefully plan staging and timing. Delivering improvements in a fast-growing city can cause disruption, but our goal is to minimise disruption as much as possible.
Jane says as the project moves through the design phase, the focus will be confirming how features such as tidal traffic flows will operate safely, particularly at side streets.
“We’re also working to ensure the project stays within budget while delivering the best outcomes for the community and will be seeking community feedback on the design later this year. “
In mid-2027 Council will be seeking construction funding from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
Subject to funding being confirmed, construction is expected to get underway in late 2027 to early 2028 and be completed by mid-2029.
For more information visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/welcomebay