A $102 million roading project featuring two flyovers and moving the train tracks is set to reshape State Highway 2 between Baypark and Bayfair - reducing congestion and improving safety for motorists.
The Bay of Plenty Times Weekend can today reveal the New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed the preferred flyover option for the Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade project (formerly known as the Maunganui-Girven intersection improvements).
The changes include introducing two flyovers and relocating train tracks.
The announcement comes after police were monitoring the busy intersection after complaints of a dangerous new driving habit.
The Bay of Plenty Times broke the story about how police were targeting motorists using a left-hand lane to illegally turn right around the roundabout putting other motorists in danger.
Police said it was only a matter of time before someone got seriously hurt and officers would target the intersection until people's driving behaviours changed.
At the time the Transport Agency said it had been looking at different options to ease the congestion at the roundabout, which is used by about 24,170 vehicles each day.
The options included traffic lights costing up to $40 million or a flyover that could cost $100 million.
The Transport Agency's acting highway manager Andrew Scott said the preferred changes included two flyovers, one that would take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven Rd intersection and a second that would take SH29 over the railway line and the Te Maunga intersection.
Mr Scott said the project would allow direct access from SH29 to Baypark and Truman Lane and would see the East Coast Main Trunk railway line relocated behind Owens Place.
A shared pedestrian and cycle path from Owens Place to Baypark was also proposed as part of the plan.
People will have the chance to view the proposed changes and ask questions at an open day this coming week.
"The project team will be available to answer any questions and discuss the option in detail at two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening.
"Everyone will have the chance to come and find out more about the works, stormwater effects and to provide feedback on the future use for the Liftan Place walkway."
Mr Scott said the project, known as option 3A, "ticked all the boxes" and would improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
He said the decision was made after a "complex" four-year investigation that considered numerous options, along with community feedback. "This plan is a modification of two options that were presented to the public at an open day last April. It was developed following feedback from the public and further investigations," Mr Scott said.
"It has been designed to reduce congestion at the Maunganui-Girven intersection, improve safety and separate state highway and local traffic. It will also improve the route to the Port of Tauranga."
The project will go through the consent process, with a construction date to be determined following detailed design and approvals.