Big city traffic may be re-routed

An historic re-routing of traffic between Tauranga and Auckland could relegate State Highway 2 to a tourism and commuter road.

Highway managers want the main northern route between the cities to switch to the Waikato, over the Kaimai summit.

Signs starting at the Bombay Hills would direct motorists on to SH27 through Matamata and then SH29 across the Kaimai Range to Tauriko.

This route is slightly longer than SH2 but has the benefit of straighter roads and more opportunities for passing than the route through Paeroa and the Karangahake Gorge.

If Transit New Zealand's plan goes ahead, it would shift traffic off the Paeroa route - and bolster Tauranga's ailing toll road, Route K.

It could also have big implications for the funding of the Western Bay's roading network, such as the $100 million northern bypass to Te Puna and the $20 million Katikati bypass.

Switching the main route to the other side of the Kaimais has been flagged in the Bay of Plenty's regional land transport strategy.

Transit said a lot of work was needed before the idea was finalised.

However, the roading authority already plans to cut the speed limit between Omokoroa and Bethlehem to 80km/h by Christmas, slowing traffic on the SH2 gateway into Tauranga.

Regional state highways manager Colin Knaggs told a public hearing that Transit was keen to change the routing of heavy traffic.

He said it could affect the funding of projects in the roading strategy and make discussions over the Katikati bypass "very interesting".

Former Tauranga mayor Noel Pope said it appeared SH29 would have a significant effect on road strategy.

He asked how Transit could ensure motorists made the switch. Mr Knaggs said the Matamata route would be signposted from the Bombay Hills and new passing bays built.

Heavy traffic was already using the route and many other drivers had found it a quicker to reach Auckland.

As Omokoroa's 4000 new residential sections came on stream, SH2 would become even more of a commuter road.

One of the most sensitive issues the proposed change was the impact it would have on businesses that made a living out of passing motorists - particularly at Paeroa.

Mr Knaggs said Transit would talk with local authorities to reach agreement on protecting the route as a key transport corridor.

It did not want a repeat of the safety issues raised by the large number of roads accessing SH2 between Katikati and Tauranga and the steadily increasing volume of traffic from land development.

- NZPA