Plan unveiled for Tauranga cycleway priorities

Daisy Hardwick cycleway and walkway could be joined by similar paths connecting Tauranga under the council's cycle plan. Photo/file

Creating a network of safe cycleways from Mount Maunganui to Arataki has been identified as the top priority for construction by the Tauranga City Council.

The council proposes to spend $12 million over the next three years to get more people onto bikes and reduce the city's growing traffic congestion.

Making Tauranga safer and easier for people on bikes has been outlined in the Tauranga Cycle Plan, unveiled today at the council's transport committee meeting.

The plan will guide the proposed $24 million which the council has earmarked to spend over the next 10 years to encourage more people to cycle to work and school.

Cycleways connecting the Mount, Omanu and Arataki have been prioritised for investigation, design and construction over the next three years, with construction spilling over into the following three years starting 2021.

The investigation and design phase for the CBD to Greerton cycleways was proposed to take place over a similar timeframe but construction would not begin until the three years commencing 2021 and finish in the following three years.

Bellevue, Matua and Otumoetai cycleways were the third priority for the plan, with construction spanning the three years starting 2024 and extending into the next three years starting 2027.

Construction of cycleways for Bethlehem to Judea and Welcome Bay, Ohauiti and Maungatapu would take place during the six years starting 2030.

Cycleway construction for Papamoa, Tauriko and Pyes Pa fell further out in the implementation plan.

Other projects proposed to start over the next three years with cycling benefits included upgrading Totara St, the Mount North one-way system, the Marine Parade boardwalk extension, a cycleway on Maunganui Rd, upgrading Wairakei Reserve, the Domain Rd upgrade, the Memorial Park to Strand boardwalk, 15th Ave corridor improvements, Bellevue access improvements, the Ngati Rd cycleway, cycling and pedestrian overbridges across SH36 and Route K, and the cycle bridge over the Wairoa River.