11 July 2014

$102M roading project set to reshape SH2

A $102 million roading project is set to reshape State Highway 2 (SH2) between Baypark and Bayfair in Tauranga, reducing congestion and improving safety for motorists.

The Transport Agency have confirmed the preferred option for the Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade project (formerly known as the Maunganui-Girven intersection improvements).

The Transport Agency’s acting highway manager Andrew Scott says the changes include two flyovers, one which will take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven intersection and a second taking State Highway 29 (SH29) over the railway line and the Te Maunga intersection.

Mr Scott says the project will allow direct access from (SH29) to Baypark and Truman Lane and will see the East Coast Main Trunk railway line relocated behind Owens Place.

A shared pedestrian and cycle path from Owens Place to Baypark is also proposed as part of the plan.

“Members of the public will have the chance to view the proposed changes and ask questions at an open day on Tuesday July 15 in suite one at ASB Arena, Baypark,” Mr Scott says.

“The project team will be available to answer any questions and discuss the option in detail at two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening.

“The morning session will be held from 11.30am to 1.30pm and the evening session will run from4.00pm to 7.00pm.”

Mr Scott said the project, known as option 3A, “ticked all the boxes” and would improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The announcement comes after a complex investigation that considered numerous options, along with community feedback.

“This plan is a modification of two options that were presented to the public at an open day last April,” Mr Scott says.
“It was developed following feedback from the public and further investigations.

“It has been designed to reduce congestion at the Maunganui-Girven intersection, improve safety and separate state highway and local traffic. It will also improve the route to the Port of Tauranga.”

The project will proceed through the consent process, with a construction date to be determined following detailed design and approvals.

To find out more about the preferred option for the Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade and the ways the project team plan to manage the social and environmental impacts of the new project, head to the Open Day or to www.nzta.govt.nz/b2b.

What will the solution provide:
• a flyover will take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven intersection
• a flyover will take Sh29 over the railway line and the Te Maunga intersection
• direct access from Sh29 to Baypark and Truman Lane
• the railway line will be relocated to behind Owens Place
• a shared pedestrian and cycleway will be built from Owens Place to Baypark

Benefits:
• reduced congestion on Maunganui Road, Girven Road and the Te Maunga roundabout
• improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists
• improved route to the Port of Tauranga
• separate local and state highway traffic

A graphic detailing the changes is available here.

For more information please visit www.nzta.govt.nz

ENDS

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