A month earlier, three people were seriously hurt when the car they were travelling in collided with a truck.
The project to address the safety risk of the layout was a partnership between the council, the NZ Transport Agency and Hawke's Bay Airport Ltd.
In his report to the council, director of infrastructure Jon Kingsford stated the driving environment associated with the intersection was unsafe and resulted in motorists taking more risk than deemed appropriate.
"The current layout has resulted in recent fatalities and to do nothing is not an option," the report stated.
The design incorporated SH2 with local roads, including Meeanee Quay and Watchman Rd, using a roundabout.
A widening of Watchman Rd, and new road within the airport, would deliver significant improvements to motorists.
The council also approved the procurement of physical works for the project, and land purchase.
Councillor Maxine Boag added another recommendation - that the council's support of the project was subject to environmental issues raised in the resource consenting process being adequately addressed.
She said she was concerned there was no mention in the report of the plan's "further intrusion" into the Ahuriri estuary.
Mr Kingsford said an assessment plan of environmental effects would be undertaken once the project design was finalised.
Councillor Mark Herbert said while nobody wanted to see new roads built through ponds, that had to be weighed with the loss and maiming of human life on the existing road.
"This is just an absolute must, and the sooner it happens the better," he said.
The $2 million approved yesterday was the council's share of the project's estimated cost of $9 million, with an additional $1.5 million from Hawke's Bay Airport Ltd, and remainder from NZTA.
The council would provide $1 million through existing budget allowances resulting in no additional cost to ratepayers, with a NZTA subsidy providing the rest.
