With a history of multiple crashes, and ranked as Tauranga’s number one high-risk intersection, this project is a vital step toward protecting everyone who uses this busy route — drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Since 2019, there have been 19 reported crashes at this intersection — eight with injuries and 11 due to failure to give way or stop.
Community consultation
During community consultation for the Ōtūmoetai Spatial Plan, residents called for stronger safety measures at this location.
Although the wider Ōtūmoetai Area B safety programme did not receive NZTA funding, this intersection was prioritised by council due to its critical safety concerns and received separate funding approval.
What’s changing
A roundabout with crossings will replace the current intersection to slow down traffic and improve safety around the intersection. Traffic modelling showed that a signalised intersection would cause major congestion on Ngatai Road during peak hours. A roundabout was chosen as the best option to enhance safety while maintaining smooth traffic flow.
Work on the Ngatai/Bureta Road intersection safety improvements is planned to start the week beginning Monday, April 20 and is expected to take four months to complete, weather permitting.
- A roundabout with new footpaths will replace the current intersection.
- Two shared crossings (for pedestrians and cyclists) on Bureta Road, one on either side of the roundabout.
- A signalised pedestrian crossing on Ngatai Road (near TyreMaster and Superior Automotive). The existing crossing will be removed.
- A pedestrian refuge island on Ngatai Road (near the golf club).
- Wider footpaths where possible to accommodate the growing number of pedestrians and cyclists and improve accessibility.
- Cycle on/off ramps on all approaches to the roundabout.
- New kerb from the Ngatai/Bureta Road intersection to the Ngatai Road/Chapel Street intersection.
Some parking changes are needed to safely deliver the roundabout, improve visibility, and provide safer crossings for people walking and cycling. Importantly, some of these parking spaces would need to be removed even without the shared crossing, due to the roundabout layout and safety requirements.
Overall, 14 existing parking spaces will be removed, with new parking provided nearby to help offset this where possible.
Where parking will be removed
- Bureta Road (outside the golf club):
Five parking spaces will be removed to accommodate the roundabout layout and a new shared crossing.
- Bureta Road (outside the superette and fish and chip shop):
Four parking spaces will be removed to allow safe vehicle reversing, reduce conflicts near the roundabout, and accommodate a new pedestrian crossing. Nine parking spaces will remain outside the shops.
- Ngatai Road (towards Matua, before the intersection):
Four parking spaces will be removed to make room for a new signalised pedestrian crossing.
- Ngatai Road (towards the city, after Superior Automotive):
One parking space will be removed to accommodate a new cycle ramp.
Where parking will be added or improved
- Bureta Park (near the golf club):
Six new parking spaces will be added within the park. These spaces are proposed to be unrestricted, allowing for longer parking and helping replace spaces lost on the street.
- Outside the shops on Bureta Road:
To support customer turnover, an option exists to revisit the current time restricted parking limits outside the shops, making it easier for people to visit local businesses.
- Bus stop changes:
The bus stop opposite the shops and outside Bureta Park will be relocated further south. This allows for two new time restricted parking spaces to be added closer to the shops, while two spaces further down the road will be removed to accommodate the relocated bus stop.
Ngatai/Bureta Road intersection safety improvements – concept design. (429kb pdf)
Traffic volumes
Weekday average of vehicle movements along Ngatai Road (between Bureta Road and Crescent Road) in both directions: 13,015
Weekday average of vehicle movements along Ngatai Road (between Bureta Road and Chapel Street) in both directions: 11,825
Daily average of pedestrians and cyclists crossing Ngatai Road at the existing crossing: 160
Construction
Construction is planned to start Monday, 20 April. During construction traffic management will be in place. Please allow extra time when driving through the area.
As part of these works, we will be carrying out night work from 7pm Thursday, 23 April to 6am Friday, 24 April. Works include ground investigations, installation of semi‑permanent traffic management (temporary traffic island and barriers), and removal of the existing traffic island near the pedestrian crossing.
Night works Traffic Management
- Road closure on the northern side of Bureta Road near the train tracks, with a detour via Kulim Avenue – Harbour Drive – Maxwells Road – Chapel Street
- Road closure on the southern side of Bureta Road near LiquorLand
- Lane closure with Stop/go operation on Ngatai Road approaching the Ngatai/Bureta intersection
- Temporary speed limit of 30 km/h on all approaches
Noise and vibration are expected and we will work to minimise disruption where possible.
Day works will start from 7am Tuesday, 28 April on the northern side of Bureta Road, including footpath, kerb and channel excavation in preparation for new footpaths. These works are expected to take around one month.
Day works Traffic Management
- Continued road closure 24/7 on the northern side of Bureta Road with the same detour in place
- 30 km/h speed limit through the work site
- Shoulder closures on the northern side of Ngatai Road
- Access for businesses and residents will be maintained