The Government says it will seriously consider tolling for the Tauranga Eastern Link road, to bring forward construction of the $455 million project.
A 23-kilometre four-lane motorway is to be built from Te Maunga to Paengaroa, by-passing Te Puke, and has been identified as a road of national significance.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says he supports the idea of tolling, which is to be put forward by the Transport Agency in the New Year.
He says tolling on the eastern link gives the opportunity to construct the project much more quickly and it lowers the amount of money that will need to come from the national transport fund.
Mr Joyce says he understands the Transport Agency will recommend a similar toll to that for Auckland's Northern Gateway Toll Road, which is $2.00 for cars and $4.00 for trucks.
