The changes, approved by the City Future Committee on 31 March, focus on practical, low-cost improvements to help ease pressure on key routes and improve how the network operates during construction.
Manager of Transport System Operations Shawn Geard says Tauranga’s transport network is already busy, and some disruption is unavoidable. “These changes won’t remove congestion, but they are about doing what we can to reduce pressure, improve safety, and make journeys more reliable while major projects are underway,” he says.
The package includes improvements on arterial routes such as a new right turn from Ohauiti Road to Welcome Bay Road, variable message signs for real-time travel information, signal metering at the Chadwick Road/Fraser Street roundabout, and minor line marking changes. A westbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane and new signals at the Kaitemako Road intersection on Welcome Bay Road are also proposed, we will work further with the community before plans are finalised. “In many cases, this is about small gains that add up,” says Shawn. “For example, a delay might not disappear, but it could be reduced or become more consistent and predictable.”
Council has also endorsed carpool initiatives, including exploring a carpool app and priority parking, this is to help support those who can make a choice to reduce the number of vehicles on our road. Network performance will continue to be monitored, with updates provided to the community as work progresses.