Tauranga City opens dedicated bus lane from Hairini St on to causeway today

The new bus lane will open this morning. Photo/Supplied

A new dedicated city-bound bus lane from Hairini St onto the Hairini causeway opens this morning.

The lane will allow buses to take an uninterrupted trip from Hairini St on to the causeway toward the Hairini bridge and Turret Rd.

Tauranga City Council's transportation manager Martin Parkes said the bus lane was a significant first step towards building the local road network.

"This is the first bus lane on our local road network, one of several opportunities that we've been looking at to help improve bus travel times in the city."

The bus stop on Hairini St will reopen for people to use, while walking and biking access down Hairini St will remain open.

Access through Hairini St will stay closed to general traffic.

The end of Hairini St was closed for public safety reasons on June 25.

The New Zealand Transport Agency and Tauranga City Council will continue to monitor traffic conditions as part of the Maungatapu underpass project.