Connect Rotorua – Central and eastern corridor upgrades

Rotorua’s central and eastern corridors (State Highway 30 and State Highway 30A) are key transport routes, serving both regional and local traffic. Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency and Rotorua Lakes Council are working together to future-proof the city’s transport network.

For more information, and for ongoing updates, please visit: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/connect-rotorua

What is being proposed?
He aha e marohitia ana?

The Central Corridor and Eastern Corridor projects will help improve access, increase safety, and create further opportunities for multi-modal travel in Rotorua’s city centre – from Old Taupo Road to the airport.

Work includes walking and cycling improvements, as well as safety initiatives, to enable the further growth and revitalisation of businesses in the city centre and across the district.

In 2015, Council and the Transport Agency agreed to work towards changing the ownership of SH30A. Since then, both parties have been working together to adapt the Central Corridor to support its future local road function and the city centre revitalisation.

Once the works are complete, ownership of the State Highway 30A (Old Taupo to Sala Street) will be handed to Council to manage as a local road.

The proposed improvements are as follows:

Illes Road to Sala Street:
• Removal of Tarawera Road roundabout and installation of traffic lights.
• An additional lane northbound between Tarawera and Iles roads.
• Solid centre median between Tarawera and Iles roads. 
• New watermains installed along both sides of road.
• Upgrading existing pedestrian underpass under the Puarenga Bridge.
• Upgrading the Sala Street intersection and shared pathways.

Sala Street to Fenton Street:
• Maintain four lanes (two lanes in each direction)
• Improve access and safety at side roads and business entrances
• Improvements to on and off-road cycle facilities and footpaths on both sides of the road
• Remove the existing acceleration lane from the Hinemaru intersection (converting to a standard ‘T’ intersection).

Fenton Street to Ranolf Street:
• Retain parking on the northern side (town side) of the corridor between Amohia Street and Fenton Street
• Remove Amohau Street parking on the southern Central Mall side
• Include two-way separated cycle corridor between Amohia Street and Fenton Street on the southern Central Mall side
• Retain two lanes of traffic in both directions at all times
• Widen raised crossing platform at Tutanekai Street intersection
• Improve cyclist and pedestrian protection at crossing points.

Ranolf Street to Old Taupō Road:
• Parking shoulder removed along the northern town side of Amohau Street
• Shared pedestrian and cyclist path and on-road cycle shoulders along both sides of road
• Pukuatua Street intersection reduced to left in/out only
• Solid median throughout the corridor.

Eastern Corridor – Stage Two

Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency is investigating how travel along SH30/Te Ngae Road, from Iles Road to Rotorua Airport, can be made safer and more efficient while accommodating for future growth and providing people with better travel choices.

The Stage Two project is in the Detailed Business Case phase, which means Waka Kotahi are looking to identify the best solution for future-proofing the corridor.

It is expected to involve improvements to key intersections, such as Owhata Road, Basley Road, and Wharenui Drive, multi-modal initiatives like shared paths and cycleways, as well as using additional lanes to support freight and public transport. Read more about the project here

Why is this project important?
He aha te tino take o te hinonga?

Connect Rotorua aims to address challenges surrounding local road access and support inner city revitalisation. Supports economic growth and development, increases travel choice, accommodates growth and improves road safety.

Who has been part of the project development?
Nā wai te hinonga i whakarite?

The NZ Transport Agency is working with Rotorua Lakes Council to deliver Connect Rotorua, a programme of work designed to future-proof the city’s transport network. Workshops have also been held with key stakeholders, including Bay of Plenty Regional Council, iwi partners, emergency services and freight and tourism groups to look at Rotorua’s transport problems and possible solutions.

How is this being funded?
I ahu mai te pūtea i hea?

In 2016 the Government announced $24 million in funding to transform the central and eastern corridors.

Timeline
Rārangi Wā

Stage 1 of the Eastern Corridor works start on 18 February 2020 and will be completed in stages – with final completion expected in late 2021.

Latest news
Whakahou Kawepūrongo

8 July 2020 – Waka Kotahi – Connect Rotorua newsletter

1 July 2020 – Major funding announcement

February 2020 – Construction starts on NZTA Te Ngae Road project

January 2020 – Construction of Stage 1 of the Eastern Corridor works to begin

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