The transport system
To support a safe and sustainable community and growth in the Western Corridor, Waka Kotahi and Tauranga City Council have been working on the future plans for the area. This has looked at how best to develop the new community, improve transport links and safety for all users, increase opportunities for public transport and active transport, protect freight routes to the Port of Tauranga, and open up the Tauriko West area for housing and urban development.
SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works (Short-term improvements)
Up to 2400 homes will be enabled through the Tauriko Enabling Works, a programme of work delivered together by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Tauranga City Council (TCC).
These upgrades will improve safety at intersections of SH29 with Redwood Lane, Belk Road and Cambridge Road, enable housing development within Tauriko West, support further development of Tauriko Business Estate, protect freight routes to the Port of Tauranga and improve access to public transport, walking and cycling.
Works at the SH29/Redwood Lane roundabout are underway, and works at the SH29/Cambridge Road and Tauriko Village intersections will follow later in 2024. The construction phase will be carried out in stages and is expected to take approximately 3 years.
Tauriko Network Connections Detailed Business CAse (Future improvements)
The transport plan for the Western Corridor places importance on public transport solutions, walking and cycling, and local road networks for local journeys. The key objectives of the future improvements (10 plus years) are to provide choice in how people want to travel, to support a thriving and growing community, protection of the strategic freight route, safety for all users and improving resilience. Providing more travel choices and encouraging people to move differently will contribute to accessibility, safety, health and environmental outcomes.
The preferred option
Since we engaged with landowners, mana whenua, stakeholders and the community on the emerging preferred option in mid-2022, we have further analysed costs, risks, and benefits of the final option recommended in the Detailed Business Case. We then refined the plans for the design and implementation of the improvements, based on feedback received. Advice from safety, technical and environmental specialists is also included. In addition, assessments were undertaken to ensure the recommended option responds to the Emissions Reduction Plan released in 2022.
The preferred option, which looks at future transport upgrades to State Highway 29, State Highway 29A and State Highway 36 in the Tauriko West area, delivers on the outcomes we heard are important to the community. It supports a thriving and growing community, provides choice in how people want to travel, protects strategic freight routes to and from the Port of Tauranga, provides safety for all users, and improves resilience and environmental outcomes.
The Detailed Business Case has been endorsedby the Waka Kotahi Board in August 2023. Endorsement of the detailed business case enables funding to be sought via the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) prioritisation process for the works.
Find out more about the preferred option
The Tauriko transport plan
SH29 is the key route connecting our region with Auckland, Waikato, and the Upper North Island. This route supports the economic success of the western Bay of Plenty. It is vital that growth and liveability, and safety and productivity go hand in hand.
The Connected Centres programme outlines how vital a multimodal transport system is to ensure existing and future communities are connected by frequent public transport services along prioritised public transport corridors.
Enabling more people to move via public transport will improve freight access. Providing access to a network of safe and accessible cycling, walking and personal mobility routes supports connectivity to local shops, schools, and other services, as well as accessing neighbouring communities.
The other benefit is a range of transport choices and the opportunity for people to live close to work. This will help reduce transport carbon emissions over time. It is as much a priority to increase the attractiveness of public transport and walking, cycling and other active modes as it is to improve safety and access of the state highways.
The Tauriko Network Programme Business Case completed in 2017 considers the whole Western Corridor.
Tauriko Network Programme Business Case [PDF, 5.4 MB]
The Detailed Business Case considers the most critical section within the programme business case, and where to invest in first.
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Throughout the process we will be going out to the community and stakeholders to provide information and gather ideas and feedback. This will include open days and workshops, surveys and regular updates via mail, email and on this website.
