Public opinion sought on cross-city access route

A public open day to gain feedback on options identified by the NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) investigation into the long-term solution for the Hairini Link corridor will be held on Wednesday, September 22 at Tauranga Boys’ College Gym 2, between 4pm and 8pm.

The investigation covers stages three and four of the four-stage project to accommodate traffic growth on State Highway 2A. The first stage of the project was installing traffic signals on the Maungatapu and Hairini roundabouts in 2008. Construction of the second stage, an upgrade of the 15th Avenue/ Fraser intersection and associated improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, is due to get underway this month.

Stage three involves four-laning the route from the Cameron Road intersection to the Maungatapu roundabout, including building a new bridge across the Waimapu estuary, and stage four covers improving access from the route to Welcome Bay.

People attending the open day will be able to view plans and speak to the project team about the options designed to improve safety and maintain travel times as traffic volumes grow along the 15th Avenue/Turret Road/Hairini corridor.

The NZTA’s State Highway Manager, Rod James says the getting the public’s feedback is an important step in developing a final recommendation.

“We’ve investigated a range of options and have identified some potential solutions. An important part of the next stage it is getting feedback from local residents, commuters and the wider community. This feedback will be factored into developing the preferred solution, and I encourage people to go along to come to the open day to find out more about our plans."

ENDS

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