The Connecting Mount Maunganui project works towards solutions to improve safety and access to, from and through Mount Maunganui and to create better links for more people to go by bus, bike and walk.
The regional transport partners are striving to build a modern transport system with a mix of reliable transport options to move people and products safely, and which encourages people to leave the car at home because there are better public transport, cycling and walking options available.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, mana whenua, Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council are working together towards solutions to boost public transport use, improve safety and travel time reliability and improve environmental outcomes for the Mount Maunganui transport system including State Highway 2 / Hewletts Road, Totara Street and Maunganui Road.
Our focus is on safety and improving access to and from Mount Maunganui and the Port, and creating better links for more people to go by bus, bike and walk.
This will help make it safer to move through and around this part of town, connect communities, provide travel choice and enable people and goods to safely get to where they need to go.
We are in the Indicative Business Case stage for the project, investigating options and making assessments with specific considerations like feasibility, affordability, complexity and fit for purpose.
Mount Maunganui study map
The direction and solutions identified aim to:
2022/2023 – Indicative Business Case (IBC). The IBC reports will identify the preferred option for the Mount Maunganui transport system.
2023/2024 – Detailed Business Case (DBC). The DBC refines the preferred option.
2024 – After the DBC is approved, we carry out detailed design and begin to seek resource consent approvals. Once the DBC is completed, we will have a better idea of a programme to design and implement the recommended options. It is likely this will take place over several years (5–10 years).
A separate project is proposing to widen the existing footpath on the northern side of SH2/Hewletts Road between Totara Street and Aerodrome Road to make it safer for people who are walking and cycling.