NZTA roading improvements announced for SH2 between Waihi and Tauranga

The NZ Transport Agency has announced the final options for State Highway 2 from Waihi to Tauranga. Photo/File

Wider centrelines, side barriers and 26 intersection upgrades are part of plans to improve safety between Waihi and Tauranga.

The NZ Transport Agency has today announced the final options for State Highway 2 from Waihi to Tauranga.

It is hoped the work, featuring wide centrelines, side barriers and 26 intersection upgrades delivered between Waihi and Omokoroa from next year, a new 7km highway between Omokoroa and Te Puna and a bypass of Katikati, will improve safety, journey reliability and cater for growth.

It was also hoped the work would add to the immediate safety improvements along the route which were already underway.

The team is now focusing on design and acquiring any land required for the programme of work. Construction would then proceed subject to further funding.

The project team is working on park and ride and regular bus services that link to the existing cycling and walking network.

NZ Transport Agency's system design senior manager Brett Gliddon said the community showed strong support for the options at open days earlier this year.

"We have spoken with the community and the priority here is to prevent people dying or being seriously injured along this stretch of road," Giddon said.

"That is why we have started work on interim safety improvements at key intersections," he said.

"We will also be preparing for safety improvements such as wide centrelines and installing side barriers from next year and speaking more to the community about reducing the speed along State Highway 2," Mr Gliddon says.