The Central Corridor project - along SH30A/Amohau Street - will help improve access, increase safety, and create further opportunities for multi-modal travel in Rotorua’s city centre.
Waka Kotahi is working with Rotorua Lakes Council to upgrade SH30A/Amohau Street from Old Taupō Road to Sala Street. This project is known as the Central Corridor.
The busy road is a barrier to the Rotorua Central Mall and the rest of the Central Business District for cyclists, pedestrians and other multi-modal users. Although there are pedestrian crossing facilities at most intersections, the high traffic volumes, long crossing distances and significant pedestrian delays create issues for pedestrians.
One of the project’s priorities is to reduce the conflict between cyclists, pedestrian and vehicles using the corridor. Currently, about 65% of traffic using the corridor are making local trips (within the city centre or surrounding areas) as opposed to regional journeys (travelling through the city) which is expected more from a regional state highway.
The upgrade includes walking and cycling improvements, as well as safety initiatives, to enable the further growth and revitalisation of businesses in the city centre.
The detailed design for the corridor is now complete and the project is awaiting funding to progress to construction.
When the project is complete, the new state highway route will be through SH5 to SH30, bypassing the old SH30A corridor.
