Re: ‘TCC talks congestion charges’ on page 5, The Weekend Sun, September 8.
Tauranga’s road congestion is a result of our city’s success. Combination of the country’s fastest-growing city and busiest port, coupled with the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transit Agency’s years of under-investment in our roading has found Tauranga gridlocked at peak times.
Cost-effective solutions of a toll-free Takitimu Drive, tidal-flow three-laning of Hairini Bridge and on Tauriko Hill, and starting the turn-off lane for Takitimu Drive sooner – those three actions will free up much of Tauranga’s gridlock.
If NZTA refuses to agree, I suggest the city of Tauranga impose a $100/container for every landed container in the Port of Tauranga to pay for our roading improvements. That way the cost is distributed over the whole of the country, rather than just charging Tauranga motorist.
Jim Sherlock, Parkvale.