Have your say on Tauranga's transport plans

People can have their say on key transport projects such as the Tauriko West Network Connections (pictured). Photo/file

Whether you drive or walk, cycle or take a bus the region's land transport network affects everyone. From people who have a business to anyone who purchases goods that have been moved on our transport networks, the level of impact may change, but it's unavoidable.

That's a key reason why people should have their say on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan according to Regional Transport Committee chair Stuart Crosby.

The draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2018 has opened for consultation, with the draft document setting out the direction that our transport system will take over the long term.

"In one way or another, land transport impacts us all, from the time it takes us to get to work or school each morning to the cost of the goods we buy," Mr Crosby said

"Is the time we spend travelling a joy or a curse? Is it helping or hindering our health and wellbeing? Are we creating the services and building the infrastructure we'd be happy to pass on to our children and grandchildren?"

The draft Plan has been prepared by the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee and sets out the priorities and activities the region will work towards in the next six years while maintaining a long term view on what might happen in the future.

It prioritises integrated planning, demand management, and network optimisation approaches before investing in expensive new infrastructure, and determining which outcomes are most important to the Region.

"This isn't a guaranteed programme - it is our combined 'what we want to do' list with the final say on how funds are allocated determined by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)."

The Plan is the way the Region seeks central government funding for activities ranging from road safety, to walking and cycling, to public transport and road improvements. It is a requirement under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

The prioritised list of the top 15 activities is:

1.TNP SH29 Tauriko West Network Connections.

Project to deliver SH29 freight and safety objectives while providing appropriate access to Tauriko West and the Tauriko Industrial Estate. Lead agency: NZTA

2.Eastern Corridor Growth projects.

Infrastructure to support residential growth in the Tauranga Eastern Corridor (high growth urban area). Includes Papamoa East Interchange with Tauranga Eastern Link to enable development in the Wairakei and Te Tumu Urban Growth Areas. Lead agency: TCC

3.Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West Connections.

New transport connections for Tauriko and Tauriko West urban growth areas. Lead agency: TCC

4.Cycle Action Plan Implementation.

Construction of improved cycle infrastructure on key routes to implement the Tauranga cycle action plan. Lead agency: TCC

5.SH29 Kaimai Summit to Tauriko.

Safety and efficiency improvements on the key route between Hamilton and Tauranga. Lead agency: NZTA

6.W2T Waihī to Ōmokoroa (Safer Corridor).

Safety improvements on the SH2 corridor between Waihī and Tauranga. Lead agency: NZTA

7.Public Transport Priority for key routes.

Signal pre-emption, clearways and priority lanes for Tauranga city loop services. Lead agency: TCC

8.Totara Street Improvements

. Construction of improved cycle facilities and level crossings for primary cycle route. Changes to road cross section to better accommodate truck turning movements. Lead agency: TCC

9.New Tauranga bus services.

Provide increased public transport service levels in Tauranga following the optimisation of urban and school buses at the start of 2018. Lead agency: BOPRC

10.SH2: Wainui Rd to Opotiki, NSRRP.

Safety improvements to reduce deaths and serious injuries. Scope includes Matekerepu and Kukumoa Road Route Security Improvements. Lead agency: NZTA

11.W2T Omokoroa to Te Puna (Transformed.)

Capacity and safety improvements on the SH2 corridor between Waihī and Tauranga. Lead agency: NZTA

12.Eastern Corridor, Connect Rotorua (Stage 2: Iles Road to Rotorua Airport) SH30.

Capacity improvements on section of Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Rotorua Airport. Lead agency NZTA

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3.SH2 Opotiki to Gisborne (Resilience and Safety).

Measures to protect link from various environmental risks and improve road safety. Lead agency: NZTA

14.Improvements to Key State Highway Intersections.

Intersection improvements - TCC contribution to NZTA projects at Elizabeth Street, Takitimu Drive and Barkes Corner. Lead agency: TCC

15.W2T Katikati Urban (previously Katikati Bypass).

The realignment of SH2 to create an alternative route (bypass) around Katikati. Lead agency: NZTA

The plan is open for consultation until 23 March 2018. To download a copy of the draft Plan or make a submission, visit www.boprc.govt.nz/landtransportplan
Funding decisions will be published by the NZTA in the National Land Transport Programme in August 2018.

Key dates

•9 February 2018 – Public consultation opened

•23 March 2018 – Public consultation closes

•11-12 April 2018 – Hearings

•7 May 2018 – Deliberations

•8 June 2018 – Regional Transport Committee makes a recommendation on the Plan to the Regional Council

•21 June 2018 – Regional Council considers Plan for approval

•30 June 2018 – Final Plan submitted to NZ Transport Agency

•31 August 2018 – NZ Transport Agency releases National Land Transport Programme