Rest area fast-track plan

An illustration of the area proposed to be transformed on the eastern approaches to Maungatapu Bridge, with an inset of how it looked now.

Plans to complete the median barrier on the highway between Baypark and Maungatapu Bridge could be used to fast-track construction of a rest area near the bridge.

Tauranga city councillors were yesterday asked to put the Maungatapu rest area project into its 10-year plan.

Barry Benton was updating the council on progress with his scheme to transform a deteriorating and unusable area into a destination for picnickers, fishing and water sports.

"With just a little bit of work, it could become a real gem for Tauranga."

He said many people were concerned by the dangerous and illegal parking on the highway by the bridge. It was because fishermen and visitors to the popular ski lane beside the area had nowhere else to park.

The median barrier had the potential to improve safety because it would only allow left-in and left-out manoeuvres from the rest area, he said.

He said the New Zealand Transport Agency was comfortable with the project, providing traffic slip lanes were built into and out of the area. Councillor Rick Curach said the ideal opportunity to build the slip lanes would be when the highway was being widened to make room for the central median extensions.

Mr Benton envisaged the development would happen over several years, with contributions by city partners and community groups.

"If a collaborative approach was taken it could cost far less."

He said Tauranga had no rest area directly off a highway that accessed a beach. "The ski lane is a good one, let's make it a great one."

The scheme had the support of other submitters to the council's Long Term Plan and Mr Benton has been negotiating with a hapu that had an historic interest in the area.

He said the transport agency was prepared to take an official approach from the council for the land to be turned into a picnic area. Mayor Stuart Crosby said the council would see if it was able to progress the project.