We want to make it safer and easier for people in Ōtūmoetai, Matua, Brookfield, Bellevue, and Judea to cycle, catch a bus, or walk to key places, within the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula, as well as travel into the City Centre.
We need to make it safer and easier for people to get around because our city is growing. Population growth will occur across our city, but particularly on the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula, because its central location, proximity to the water, green spaces, and commercial/retail centres make it a great place to live. The Accessible Streets programme will help people on the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula to be ready for continued growth by providing sustainable and people-focused options to get around.
Emerging preferred option – November 2022
In August and September 2022, we asked the community and key stakeholders to tell us what they thought about options for cycleways and ways to help improve bus journey times and facilities in the community along each section of the identified primary cycle and bus routes. Commissioners have approved an emerging preferred option for the project, which will allow a concept design to be developed over the next few months. Once the concept design is complete, the community will have another opportunity to give feedback early next year.
Preferred option by section:
Section 1 - Chapel Street between Harington Street and Maxwells Road
One-way cycleways and shared paths. The traffic lane heading towards Ngatai Road is removed (from north of the Mobil site to Vale Street) to accommodate the cycleway. Further modelling is being undertaken to determine additional opportunities to provide a higher Level of Service for buses south of the Mobil site and Brown Street.
Section 2 - Ngatai Road between Maxwells Rd to Ōtūmoetai roundabout
Two-way cycleway on the harbour side of Ngatai Road. Allows retention of parking on one side of the road, new traffic signals at the Chapel Street/Vale Street intersection, Bureta Road/Ngatai Road intersection and Ōtūmoetai roundabout, and connections at Maxwells Road.
Section 3 – Charles Street to Bellevue Road along Windsor Road
A two-way cycleway on the school side of Windsor Road. To accommodate the two-way cycleway and retain parking on both sides of the road, this option removes a general traffic lane on Charles Street and Windsor Road between Ngatai Road and Anne Road to introduce a one-way circulation system.
Section 4 – Bellevue Road
A two-way cycle facility on southern side of Bellevue Road, changing to one-way facility south of the Brookfield roundabout. A signalised crossing will be provided for cyclists to transition from one facility type to another.
Section 5 - Waihi Road and 11th Avenue
Combination of one-way cycleways / shared paths and bus priority measures. The removal of a city bound traffic lane between the slip lane exit to Takitimu Drive and Edgecumbe Road to provide space for a bus/transit lane. Conversion of citybound parking between Edgecumbe Road and Cameron Road to a morning-only peak bus/transit lane clearway. On-street parking would be removed here during the morning peak travel times.
Primary bus routes
Bus stop improvements, including major upgrades to high priority stops. Minor upgrades to medium and low priority stops. Optimisation of bus stop locations and in-lane bus stops.
Neighbourhood Streets
30km/h speed limit, speed reduction measures, pedestrian upgrades, and making the streets more people friendly through improvements such as planting, artwork and street furniture
Consideration to be given to limited time speed limits outside schools during the concept design development.
Accessible Streets for Ōtūmoetai Peninsula - emerging preferred option with maps (716kb pdf)
Accessible Streets for Ōtūmoetai Peninsula – Alernatives and Options Assessment (8mb pdf)
Accessible Streets for Ōtūmoetai Peninsula – Engagement report October 2022 (782kb pdf)
What is the Accessible Streets programme?
Accessible Streets is a 20-year programme designed to provide more active travel options by delivering a connected network of cycleways throughout Tauranga for people of all ages and abilities. It will also provide safer intersections, safer crossings, and speed tables in key areas to make it safer to walk and easier to catch a bus.
Read more about Accessible Streets
Why Ōtūmoetai Peninsula?