As we are heading into summer, Tauranga’s residents will start noticing more roadworks happening throughout the city. The good weather and it being school holidays makes it easier to get roadworks done. One of the programmes that sees an increase in activity in the coming months is Tauranga City Council’s Safety Improvements Programme, which council works on together with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
This programme covers transport projects under $1 million that have been identified as a safety concern by the community, NZ Police and council. Think of new pedestrian crossings, minor intersection changes such as a new island or changes to the width of the road, and reducing speeds through traffic calming such as speed humps and small roundabouts.
Planned projects
For this financial year’s programme – running from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 – there are still approximately twenty projects on the list. The projects are currently in the process of being designed and it is hoped they will be delivered by June 2020.
Examples of projects include the Kaimanawa /Hawea intersection in Arataki, the implementation of a number of pedestrian refuges in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, and various school-patrolled zebra crossings in front of schools. There will also be works on footpaths in Greerton, Otumoetai, and the city centre.
Martin Parkes, council’s Manager Network Safety and Sustainability: “This is an important programme that contributes to making roads easier and safer for our community to move around. Not only by car but also by people on bikes, walking and busing.”
The list of projects that fall under the Safety Improvements Programme can be viewed on our web page about road safety.
If people have suggestions for council to incorporate in future safety programmes, please get in touch via transport@tauranga.govt.nz or 07 577 7000.