The new Te Puke Highway – formerly State Highway 2 – has officially passed into the hands of Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Ownership and maintenance of the former stretch of SH2, from the Papamoa Domain Road interchange through Te Puke township to the Paengaroa roundabout, has been handed over to council by the NZ Transport Agency.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is now in charge of the former stretch of SH2 that runs through Te Puke. Photo: File.

The road takes on a new role as a free and convenient route for Te Puke residents, local industry and tradespeople and for visitors travelling south who wish to explore the town.

It will also be a valuable feeder road on to the new Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) for kiwifruit and other local export produce being transported from the Te Puke area to the Port of Tauranga, says Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson.

Ross says the highway's conversion to a local road, and the consequent reduction in traffic volumes, will enable Te Puke to develop a greater ‘sense of place'.

It is predicted the TEL will reduce traffic through Te Puke by about 7000 vehicles per day, including a significant number of trucks.

'Council will manage the road to ensure it serves the Te Puke community and supports the vitality of the Te Puke town centre,” says Ross.

'The change in status from a state highway also brings economic benefit to Te Puke. Development consent off a state highway is very difficult to obtain, however, development off a local road is easier.

'But this development potential needs more discussion as it could bring safety and speed issues.”

Negotiations between Council and the Transport Agency began three years ago for the revocation of the old state highway – a process Ross says has been lengthy and complex in order to make the road appropriate and safe for its new purpose.

'The Transport Agency has a works programme that will be implemented over the next two years,” he adds.

'First off the blocks will be the revised speed limits and signage and a key project is the new Welcome Bay Road roundabout, which is currently in the scoping and design phase.

'Council is happy with the outcome reached with the Transport Agency and we appreciate the cooperation and patience of their key staff to reach this stage.”

It will cost Council around $750,000 annually to maintain the Te Puke Highway, with half of this funded by the Transport Agency and the other half through rates.

The NZ Transport Agency has committed approximately $10 million to a programme of works over the next 24 months to make the road 'fit for purpose” as a local arterial road.

The Transport Agency's Bay of Plenty highways manager, Niclas Johansson, says within the package is a $1.5 million budget from NZTA and $1m from council to help make Te Puke township a more vibrant place.

'This will be spent in the central township, along the north-western approach and also in Waitangi, to make these areas more attractive and safer for pedestrians and motorists,” says Niclas.

Council will be ensuring all residents and businesses are kept well informed and given prior notice of the planned works over the next two years.

Works include minor changes to speed limits, with the 50km /h and 70km/h limits at the west end of Te Puke being shifted outward to improve the safety of intersections.

The 80km/h section to the east of Te Puke will be reduced to 70km/h to improve the safety at No1 Road. The 100km/h rural speed limits will not change.