Enabling reliable transport in the Bay of Plenty region

The Takitimu North Link project by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is being constructed in two stages: Stage 1, currently under construction by Fulton Hogan/HEB Joint Venture, connects Tauranga to Te Puna, and Stage 2 connects Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.

The project aims to support the Bay of Plenty region's rapid growth, improve road safety access, and enable more reliable travel for local commuters and regional freight to the Port of Tauranga. 

Stage 1 consists of 6.8-kilometre new expressway and a new bridge connection from SH2/Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road. 8 bridges and shared path are being built by a Fulton Hogan/HEB Joint Venture, in a sensitive natural environment with nearby residents.  

Beca is the lead design consultant and implemented an integrated, model-based digital approach to address the site complexities and coordinate the large, multidiscipline project team. The use of a digital twin enabled different disciplines to share and collaborate before building commenced, and helped determine a cost effective, and environmentally and socially beneficial design option. Efficiencies in the design led to the local road network being freed of 22,000 construction truck movements, saving 900,000km of driving on the roads.  

Building a partnership with local hapū was integral to this project. Regular meetings enabled effective cultural input and meaningful collaboration. 

There is a large programme of environmental controls, archaeological investigations, and ecological work, including the relocation of more than 130 indigenous lizards and 13,000 native fish.  

Over 18 months, Beca led technical assessments and detailed design before transitioning into a Quality Assurance and monitoring role. The Beca design includes earthworks, bridges, culverts, landscape and urban design.  

Find the project website here.

Awards: Bentley Systems 2022 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure (Roads and Highways)