A new flyover linking SH29 and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road opened to traffic, marking a major milestone in the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project. Photo \/ NZTA<\/p>\n
He said the council could not quantify the cost of toll avoidance because it was difficult to separate it from general traffic growth and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council is not opposed to tolling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see this as a discussion about fairness rather than opposition to tolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singh said increased use of local roads would ultimately require greater maintenance and renewal spending.<\/p>\n
He said if future work showed tolling was creating measurable costs on local roads, authorities might explore options to allow a portion of toll revenue to contribute to those network impacts. <\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty infrastructure general manager Brad Singh. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council transport system operations manager Shawn Geard said the council would monitor traffic patterns around the Waiariki Interchange and Takitimu North Link as tolling was introduced.<\/p>\n
He said the council did not have enough evidence to determine the extent to which toll avoidance contributed to congestion or road wear. <\/p>\n
Geard said the council had previously supported the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill, which would enable councils to receive a share of toll revenue. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe council has previously supported tolling in principle as a means of funding new roads, provided this approach is applied consistently across New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill passed its second reading in June.<\/p>\n
A NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spokesperson said some motorists chose alternative routes rather than toll roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a factor considered as part of tolling assessments and transport modelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agency said it monitored traffic volumes on toll roads and surrounding networks but did not hold data showing maintenance costs caused specifically by toll avoidance. <\/p>\n
NZTA said toll revenue currently funded the purposes set out for each toll road and was not distributed to councils for local road maintenance.<\/p>\n
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford.<\/p>\n
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford said the Government was making greater use of tolling part of a more flexible approach to funding transport infrastructure. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe starting point for new roads will be to look at whether tolling is appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rutherford said as more Roads of National Significance were completed and tolled, road users across New Zealand would contribute to the cost of major new infrastructure, creating a more balanced national toll road network.<\/p>\n
The Takitimu North Link is a Road of National Significance and NZTA says stage one is due to be completed in 2028.<\/p>\n
It will run from Te Puna and connect to State Highway 2 at 15th Ave, and to the already-tolled Takitimu Drive\/State Highway 29 – formerly Route K – in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
NZTA\u2019s 2024\/25 Annual Report said the Takitimu Drive made $11.4m in revenue from 5 million vehicles in 2024\/25.<\/p>\n
The Tauranga Eastern Link\/SH2 had 4.1 million vehicles and $9.3 million in toll revenue. <\/p>\n
Tolls for users of the TEL\u2019s new Waiariki interchange are expected to begin late this year. <\/p>\n
New Zealand\u2019s third toll road is Auckland\u2019s Northern Gateway, which had $21.8m in revenue from 9 million vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u2013 LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n