Traffic backed up on Hewletts Rd, an area identified in major plans to fix Tauranga's congestion issues. Photo / File
Some Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty roads are operating beyond capacity and 13 critical projects have been prioritised in a major plan to alleviate the strain on the region's arterial routes.
But even then, many motorists will need to change their travelling habits before there will be any notable difference to congestion levels, local transport leaders warn.
The Transport System Plan (TSP) is a strategy aimed at better preparing the region for population growth estimates of 258,000 residents and 34,000 new homes by 2050. The growth translates to more than a million extra transport movements each day.
The plan is a partnership between Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, KiwiRail, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Priority One, Port of Tauranga and tangata whenua.
In recent months, the councils and authorities signed off on the plan, which had already identified a list of 10 priority projects based on key areas needing critical attention over 0 to 3 year, 3 to 10 year, and 10 to 30 year time frames.
Another three have been added: An investigation into the Turret Rd/15th Ave and Welcome Bay area; an investigation into the Hewletts Rd and Port of Tauranga, and investigation into combined bus services and infrastructure.
The plan works in alignment with the existing Urban Form and Transport Initiative (UFTI) which sets out how people will live, work, play learn and move locally over the next 30 to 70 years. The TSP essentially looks at all modes of traffic, how they impact each other and what could or should be done about it to better unlock the region's arterial routes.
TSP independent chairman Dean Kimpton said there was no "quick fix" to Tauranga's transport issues but having all councils and respective partners at the same table was a "great opportunity" to make real change.
The region, and country, simply could not afford to keep building more roads so creating "an equity in transport", by getting more people using more modes, was essential, Kimpton said.
"Yes, we need bike lanes and new roads but we also need to improve public transport and for people to be comfortable with choosing public transport. We need to shift freight from roads to rail, port to port. We've looked at all of these things to try to alleviate pressure on roads."
Funding was going to be the big challenge and this was expected to be addressed through council planning in the next year.
Tauranga council team leader of transport strategy and planning Alistair Talbot said the plan was about safety and accessibility, "giving people those choices to move a whole lot safer to get to work, etc".
The idea was that while business cases for more complex corridors such as the Hewletts Rd/Totara St area were developed, minor works could be made in the interim. This included optimising bus services and infrastructure, he said.
Tauranga City Council director of transport Brendan Bisley warned the solution to local transport issues was more than just policy and projects. People needed to also play their part to make any real difference to the city's congestion.
"I think the key point here is we are not trying to get everyone out of their cars but some people have the ability to have options.
"If people had choice (of modes of transport), it builds options for those who don't have a choice because some of the population don't, such as tradesmen, or elderly - they can't necessarily hop on a bus or bike."
Bisley said the roads in Tauranga 10 years ago had plenty of capacity - "spare room".
"Our congestion was pretty minimum."
Since then Tauranga traffic has grown an average of 8 per cent each year, resulting in choke points and travel delays throughout the region.
"Now we are starting to see the traffic network is literally running at capacity, some parts are over capacity. That's where we see hot spots like the (Harbour) bridge, Turret Rd, Hewletts Rd, SH2 north and Pyes Pa," Bisley said.
"The system can't clear itself.
"If we don't do something these delays will just get longer."
While the TSP was aimed at helping alleviate much of the strain on the region's arterial routes, it also highlighted that building more roads was not sustainable. This was why people considering a mode shift was so important, Bisley said.
"Long term, it's about creating a better plan for all of us to live. Fundamentally, that's what we are trying to do and future generations growing up, we don't want to spend our lives stuck in traffic.
"Congestion doesn't necessarily affect all parts of the population currently but ... if we don't do anything now that congestion will just increase, its delays will extend and ultimately everyone will be affected by it."
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Public Transport Committee chairman Andrew von Dadelszen said the plan's concept was something "we support wholeheartedly, as long as it's executed well".
Von Dadelszen said attracting Government funding was vital. So was getting people changing their travel habits.
"It won't solve congestion unless we can get some mode shift in this city. We have to make sure we step up our infrastructure to encourage people to get out of their cars."
Port of Tauranga's Dan Kneebone said it was encouraged the Totara St and Hewletts Rd area was being treated as a priority because this work was essential, "not only for the port but for the whole Mount Maunganui community".
Kneebone said the port endeavoured to move as much freight on rail as possible "and increased public transport use will help ease congestion".
The port was keen to see comprehensive designs before physical works began, he said.
The TSP plan is now expected to be included in local and national land transport plans to help greenlight funding and physical works.
- Cameron Rd improvement – Harington to 17th Ave construction, and development of the business case for 17th to Barkes corner.
- BayLink construction
- Arataki bus facility investigation
- Takitimu North Link
- Totara St safety improvements
- Maunganui Rd improvements
- Ōmokoroa urban improvements
- Rangiuru business park interchange
- The enabling and long-term works business cases in Tauriko
- The PEI/Wairakei town centre and Te Tumu structure planning and business case
Plus
- Investigation into the Turret Rd/15th Ave and Welcome Bay area
- Investigation into the Hewletts Rd and Port of Tauranga area
- Investigation into combined bus services and infrastructure
The jury's marathon deliberations ran for two weeks.