In a visit to Tauranga today, National Party Leader John Key confirmed a National-led Government will build the Tauranga Central Corridor.

"New Zealand has a significant infrastructure deficit which is holding back growth. National has a comprehensive and practical plan to unlock our growth potential, and the Tauranga Central Corridor is part of that plan.

"Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty make up one of New Zealand's fastest growing regions.

"The Tauranga Central Corridor will be a four-lane State Highway which runs from Fifteenth Avenue, along Turret Road to the Hairini Roundabout in Welcome Bay.

"Our commitment includes provision for a cycleway and pedestrian access. The project will include a new bridge at Turret Road and an underpass at Welcome Bay. This critical corridor links the state highway ring roads around Tauranga and the Western Bay."

The benefits of building the Tauranga Central Corridor include:
• Reduced congestion in Tauranga.
• Improved service to the growing community in Welcome Bay.
• Reduced congestion on other arterial routes.
• Enhanced options for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Productivity improvement, regional stimulation, and accelerated economic growth.

"The Tauranga Central Corridor is currently not planned or funded. National is promising to meet the project's full cost of $100 million to resolve this emerging Achilles heel of Tauranga's roading network.

"The funding for this investment in growth will come from the additional infrastructure funding signalled in our fiscal policy. There will be no tolls on this road."

Completion is expected to take five to six years.

"Tauranga has enormous potential and National is committed to investing in the infrastructure necessary for Tauranga, and New Zealand to grow and prosper."