The NZ Transport Agency is hosting two open days this week to provide an opportunity for Tauranga residents to discuss the future of State Highway 2.

The first open day is 4-7pm on Tuesday, February 22 at the Te Puna Community Centre, Maramatanga Park, Te Puna.

The second is 4-7pm on Wednesday, February 23 at the Bethlehem Hall, Bethlehem.

NZTA Bay of Plenty state highway manager Rod James says State Highway 2 north of Tauranga is a busy freight and commuter route as well as an important tourist link for the northern Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula

He says the open days are a chance for people to talk with NZTA staff about the agency's plans to improve transport in the region.

'An investigation into a proposal to build a new 6.8km inland highway from Te Puna to Takitimu Drive (Route K) is underway,” says Rod.

'Once built, the inland route, known as the Tauranga Northern Link, will separate local and state highway traffic.

'It will reduce travel time, improve trip reliability, freight movements and safety, as well as relieve congestion.

'It will also improve access and support public transport, cycling and walking on the current state highway route through Bethlehem and Te Puna.”

About 18,500 vehicles currently travel on State Highway 2 at the Wairoa River bridge each day. Nine per cent, or 1700 of those, are heavy commercial vehicles.

As commercial and residential development continues in areas north of Tauranga, traffic volumes will increase (predicted to be over 30,000 vehicles per day by 2031).

As traffic increases, safety and congestion issues will worsen. The Tauranga Northern Link is part of the Western Bay of Plenty's SmartGrowth strategy to plan infrastructure for growing areas.

Once the NZTA has identified and costed the preferred solution, the project will be prioritised for design and construction funding through the Regional Land Transport Programme.