Claims that reconstruction work about to start on Wharf and Willow Streets is pre-empting a council decision on the city's bus station are being denied by council staff.
The council is about to call tenders to rip up and rebuild Wharf Street and Willow Streets.

File Graphic. Councillor Murray Guy.

Councillor Murray Guy says the council hasn't finally decided on the location of the transport centre yet, that is to be done in February.
He says the work, which also involves replacing water and sewer pipes in the streets, and altering kerb and channel lines, sounds like the area is being prepared for a role as a transport centre – a decision the council will not be making until its February meeting.
Tauranga City Council transport operations manager Martin Parkes says the street reconstruction has nothing to do with the transport centre decision and will be going ahead whatever decision is made on the buses.
It's been put off for three years pending the bus station decision, says Martin.
The last time the streets were reconstructed was in 1987, and roads are given a 25 year working life.
'Neither Wharf or Willow Streets were intended for bus use the last time they were rebuilt,” says Martin.
'The type of construction used then we wouldn't use that today. It's done quite well seeing it's had buses going up and down for some considerable time.”
The services under the street will also be upgraded in the reconstruction. The earthen ware Willow Street sewer is over 100 years old.
'We should retain part of it and put it in a museum, it is probably the oldest thing in Tauranga,” says Martin.
Kerb and channel lines will be altered mainly to promote proper drainage.
'It is totally separate to any decision on the bus project,” says Martin. 'If the council on February 19 says ‘go ahead' we will combine some of those works with the work we are doing, it makes sense.”
Concrete pads under the bus stops on Wharf Street will be going ahead regardless, says Martin.
Wharf Street has become pretty chewed by buses braking on the hill.
'Even if it is not the site of the transport centre there will still be buses stopping there, so we have designed a pavement that will still take the weight of the buses,” says Martin. 'We are putting in some concrete pads where the buses are going to be stopped.”
The plan is to start on Wharf Street before Easter, close everything down for the Jazz Festival, and begin the Willow Street work after Easter.