Preliminary planning for the new Hairini Link project that will provide improved journey times through Hairini, Turret Road and 15th Avenue is proceeding in anticipation of funding arrangements for the whole project being confirmed.
Preliminary planning for the new Hairini Link project that will provide improved journey times through Hairini, Turret Road and 15th Avenue is proceeding in anticipation of funding arrangements for the whole project being confirmed.
Hairini Link is the name of the section of the Tauranga Central Corridor that runs along 15th Avenue to Turret Road, across the Hairini Bridge to the Maungatapu and Welcome Bay roundabout system at Hairini.
Initial feasibility work is being carried out to determine a selection of options for investigation.
It is expected the project will be staged with the first stage being works aimed at gaining a series of ‘quick win’ improvements to the Turret Road/15th Avenue corridor ahead of the larger project being constructed.
These aim to increase the ability for traffic to flow; improve travel times for high occupancy vehicles such as cars with multiple passengers, buses and taxis; and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. These individual improvements should be completed throughout 2009 and 2010.
The Hairini Link project will also focus on gaining improvements for the community either side of the corridor through providing greater connectivity across the corridor.
All of these early improvements are possible because they do not have constraints such as a requirement for property purchases or RMA processes.
These proposed initial improvements, which include the Fraser Street/15th Avenue intersection, will be put out for public consultation later in the year.
Further stages will be focused on providing a longer term solution to traffic congestion along 15th Avenue, Turret Road and the Hairini Bridge. It is likely to include an additional bridge at Hairini, additional lanes for the use of high occupancy vehicles and busses on 15th Avenue and Turret Road, and a grade separation aimed at improving the Maungatapu/Hairini intersections.
Hairini Link is a joint project between NZTA and Tauranga City Council working in close partnership.
For more information please contact:
Julie Hannam
Regional Communications Advisor
NZ Transport Agency
T 07 903 5146
M 027 294 2649
Email julie.hannam@nzta.govt.nz
