But it's not happening. And despite Phil Twyford's statement about decisions being left to experts free of political interference, it's pretty darn obvious that the four-lane TNL is off for one reason – political interference.
It's right there in the NZ Transport Agency media release from October 24.
"The transport agency has re-evaluated the transport plans for the corridor to align with priorities set out in the Government Policy on Land Transport."
Those priorities obviously do not include the building of a safe and efficient four-lane highway in and out of one of the country's fastest growing cities.
We should be used to what Phil Twyford says by now. He was asked on the streets of Tauranga on July 12 about the TNL and said claims by the National Party that it was being scrapped were "scaremongering".
Well Mr Twyford, the plans as we'd come to know them, and had been on the cusp of being built, have been scrapped.
Instead one of the busiest two-lane roads in the country, the northern approach to New Zealand's fifth largest city, is to be replaced by – a two-lane road.
Even worse, the transport agency says, the "construction, timing and form of this route will depend on growth and funding priorities across the rest of the country".
In other words, nobody has any idea when it will start. The short-sighted thinking is beyond belief.
Tauranga's growth has always been based on its transport links.
The weather and the beaches have always been great and the soils fertile. It was just difficult to get people and things to and from here easily.
In a little over half a century, the Kaimai tunnel, the port, the widened roads over the Kaimais and, more recently, the fantastic eastern link highway have all been hugely significant factors in Tauranga's population boom.
In 2018 nothing has changed. People still want to come but politicians don't want to make it easy, especially for those travelling on State Highway 2.
This road is part of the country's Golden Triangle. Yet Government policy is for plenty of talk but little action.
If you have the heartbeats, take a look at the NZTA release from just last Monday. There's enough hot air to heat a mouldy house.
Safety improvements between Waihi and Omokoroa will be investigated. Improvements to the Katikati urban centre will be investigated. Safety options between Omokoroa and Te Puna will have their business case updated. The Tauranga Northern Link will commence pre-implementation.
In other words, apart from a few intersection upgrades, nothing is really happening.
It makes you wonder if the Western Bay of Plenty is paying the penalty for being such a staunch National voting area. Is that the case Phil Twyford?
