Decisions affecting the future of several major Tauranga intersections are to be made in March next year.
Traffic Lights are an option for Elizabeth Street
The Bayfair roundabout, the Welcome Bay tunnel, the Elizabeth Street roundabout are each then going to have final decisions made about their futures, says projects manager with the NZ Transport Agency Andrew Scott.
Speaking at a Tauranga City Council committee meeting, he says the Bayfair intersection solution is a high priority on a national basis.
But the more they look the more they realise the decision will affect future options.
'If we put in a flyover then it may limit options we have at Te Maunga, which is going to need something long term,” says Andrew.
The options include flyovers, traffic lights, roundabout, or a combination on a busy intersection that has increasing volumes using the Matapihi Road, and regular interruptions to the normal flows caused by the railway crossing.
Information from the Tauranga Urban Network Study will provide a better understanding – what impact three or four laning Girven Road will have on the intersection.
The options will be narrowed down in March by which time NZTA will be ready for an open day with the public.
An open day for the Maungatapu roundabout underpass is scheduled for November 30. The notice of requirement for the project will be lodged in March.
The agency's position on the future of the Elizabeth Street/Takitimu Drive roundabout will also be made in March.
The agency is again deciding options to reduce peak hour congestion.
A preferred solution from the three options facing NZTA over a choice of Tauriko bypass options will also be available for the community in March.
8 comments
another reason
Posted on 15-11-2011 08:54 | By charob
watch this space. More protests. for what................
Posted on 15-11-2011 10:08 | By DRONE
Looks to me that a raft of decisions are coming, but of course money and reducing Tauranga Populations will not help anything here.
Girven Rd - traffic options
Posted on 15-11-2011 15:27 | By Pamax
Re Girven Rd traffic planning: The Tauranga Urban Network Study Group must bear in mind that Girven Rd runs through an increasingly busy pedestrian area, with Bayfair Shopping Centre on one side and Baywave Aquatic Centre, Arataki Community Centre plus several medical and diagnostic businesses on the other side of the road. Rather than four laning Girven Rd it would make more sense to divert all Papamoa bound traffic via a new, more southern arterial road and to define Girven Rd as a dormitory road with traffic restrictions for local business and domestic access only. Your proposal to increase traffic volume along Girven Rd given a rising pedestrian crossing volume surely is asking for trouble. Max Lewis, Mt Maunganui.
Posted on 15-11-2011 20:33 | By Capt_Kaveman
TCC want to change or install anything how about fixing the lights and roading that some is already a joke, Re Pamax yes get this highway done from temunga to domain rd and hope they have an off ramp into the undeveloped area where gloucester rd will join, Bayfair itself has been built back to front and the T lights in giver rd should need to be there
MARCH DECISION?
Posted on 16-11-2011 15:46 | By WARTS N ALL
Hmmm I think that really means TCC has a few months more to shuffle teh deck to try and make a play to off load Route K, not going to happen unless NZTA were more brainless thn TCC and that can't be as NZTA were on to it at teh begining by being anti Route K as a financial mess type Tsunami, and they were right!
TCC IN
Posted on 18-11-2011 18:55 | By PLONKER
The begging is done, after many years of relentless yearning, begging and wishful thinking by TCC, they now await the dreadful but truthful decision to arrive in the post in March 2012. Until then of course the eternal hopeful Crosby Crew will be holding out their hands (palms together pointing skyward) ... in desperate hope and praying for a miracle, of course we all know the answer already like years ago, shall we tell them? NAH NAH !!
Hunting the Snark stuff !!
Posted on 19-11-2011 19:44 | By MINDER
NZTA have had a decade to sort this pack of cards out. NZTA keep vacillating and can't or won't make a decision- or they may of course be incapable of doing so.Simply stay with traffic lights for Bayfair in medium term a tunnel for Welcome Bay as planned 25years ago and do what you like at Elizabeth St.Just do something for a change and get on with it NZTA because a perfect solution there is not.
Lets all hope TCC can sell Route K
Posted on 22-11-2011 02:28 | By THOMAS BROWN
I am positive that NZTA will agree to this, Council staff have discussed everything with NZTA representatives and they are clear on our needs and objectives with Route K, I am sure the Council Staff headed by Ms Jones have done a stirling job and all will happen as planned.
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