Aerial flyover - Takitimu North Link, April 2026

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]Hello, my name is Jessa, and I am an Engineer, managing the drainage works on the Takitimu North Link project.

[00:00:07]I will be taking you through what is currently happening on site.

[00:00:11]Starting at Fifteenth Avenue, we have completed the first stage of the 120m section soil nail retaining wall, over the next few months you will see the decorative concrete panels being installed.

[00:00:24]The Fifteenth Ave bridge is now 80% finished.

[00:00:28]With all concrete poured and barriers installed, the team is focusing on constructing the approaches.

[00:00:34]This 100-metre single-lane bridge will link Fifteenth Avenue with the existing SH29 Toll Road.

[00:00:44]Moving down to SH29 on the right hand side of the screen, you can see the lane widening works that the team are currently constructing, this will create two lanes coming from SH29 into Tauranga City.

[00:01:03]Further along SH29 - northbound traffic will soon be shifted onto the new Takitimu Drive Flyover Bridge the traffic will be driving onto the newly constructed pavement within this area.

[00:01:15]The switch will allow our team to start construction of the new Takitimu North Link interchange roundabout.

[00:01:23]Now we will be flying west over the new Takitimu North Link main alignment.

[00:01:29]You can see the alignment of the new road and the path you will travel on once complete.

[00:01:35]On the left - the debris screen can be seen which was well tested during the recent heavy rainfall event – these screens effectively prevented loose vegetation from entering the stormwater network.

[00:01:51]As we fly over this section of site - the recently installed culverts and swales are clearly visible.

[00:02:02]The Smiths Farm Bridge is structurally complete, and we are now constructing the approaches on either side.

[00:02:09]When you use the Smiths Farm Road you will be travelling under the new Takitimu North Link Expressway.

[00:02:19]You can see Cambridge Road at the top of the screen which is complete and Cambridge Road East on the right of the screen.

[00:02:29]We are now on the western side of Cambridge Road heading into the Wairoa Valley.

[00:02:35]Coming down over fill 10, we have removed all of the surcharge material and are beginning the box cuts, to see these works starting is very exciting for the project as it signifies the commencement of pavement construction in the area.

[00:02:53]The impressive Wairoa River Bridge is a 355 metres long structure of which is now 80% complete throughout its construction journey.

[00:03:03]The barriers are being installed and the approaches either side are under construction.

[00:03:09]On the right hand side of the screen the tributary stream is under construction this area will provide future fish spawning and native bird habitat.

[00:03:22]In Fill 9 we are recovering well from the recent rain falls events and have begun installing sub-soil pipes to help drain the water away The Wairoa Road Bridge is complete and sits approx.

[00:03:39]22 metres above the new highway.

[00:03:45]In Cut 8 we are installing the last of our bored drains, these assist in draining water away from the batters and keeping the slopes stable.

[00:03:55]The planted batters are growing well with over 300,000 native plants to be planted this season.

[00:04:05]In Te Mete Valley On the right of the screen you can see the Te Mete Wetland, this covers over 6000m2 in size.

[00:04:15]Just past the wetland you can see the wingwalls of culvert 4 which is a triple box culvert.

[00:04:22]This impressive structure can be seen as you drive along SH2.

[00:04:30]The Pavements in cut 5 are awaiting asphalt in the coming months.

[00:04:35]On the right-hand side, you can also see the Active Mode Path which will have a chipseal surface applied in the coming weeks Up next we have the Minden Gully bridges.

[00:04:49]The off-ramp on the left is being used for construction traffic.

[00:04:53]These structures are 90% complete with the handrails and final surfacing in coming months.

[00:05:00]The approaches to the bridges are also under construction.

[00:05:04]As we fly over the Minden Road interchange you can see where you will be getting on and off the local roads to access the new expressway.

[00:05:13]These twin roundabouts are also known as a diamond interchange.

[00:05:18]Minden Road pavement construction is also progressing well with the asphalt surfacing now laid.

[00:05:25]In the area outside of our office you will see the pavement layers being constructed, this area is a hive of activity with up to 20 trucks on rotation throughout the day dropping off the various aggregates required.

[00:05:43]At the western end of the project The Ōturu Culvert construction is nearly complete, with the fence remaining and the approaches under construction.

[00:05:54]Within the culvert the team are currently creating the fish passage which consists of rocks placed on the floor of the culvert to provide refuge for the fish as they travel upstream.

[00:06:07]Just past the culvert you can start to see where we will be tying into the existing SH2.

[00:06:14]Thank you for joining us for this flyover video.

[00:06:17]We hope to update you with more progress soon.