Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the Government will inject $24 million into a Bay of Plenty transport network.

The roading package will focus on Rotorua's eastern and central corridors and will include an upgrade to State Highway 30, a new roundabout at Te Ngae and Tarawera roads intersection, four-laning a section of Te Ngae Road and improving walking and cycling connections.

A map of the Rotorua Eastern arterial route.

'The Government has been working closely with Rotorua Lakes Council to look at the best way to future-proof the city's transport network, resolve congestion issues and address challenges surrounding local road access,” Simon says.

'Rotorua's eastern corridor has long been identified as the location for the majority of future residential and employment development in the city. It is a key transport route and serves both an inter-regional and local function.”

Simon says investigations carried out by the NZ Transport Agency under the Government's Accelerated Regional Roading Programme recommended that the previously identified option of the Rotorua Eastern Arterial not be built, and is unlikely to be built even in the long term.

'For some time the REA was seen as the long-term solution but investigations have recommended upgrading State Highway 30/Te Ngae Road to support growth and improve Rotorua's congestion issues,” Simon says.

'Nevertheless, the Government has asked the NZ Transport Agency to take a further look into options for Rotorua's long term transport network and report back before any final decision is made on whether to lift the designation for the REA. We will be engaging with stakeholders and are keen to hear what the community thinks.

'Rotorua is a key connection point for road transport in the central and upper North Island, connecting industries such as tourism and forestry with the Port of Tauranga.

'This investment into Rotorua's transport network is designed to support economic growth and development, help ease congestion and improve road safety.”

Preparation for the upgrades will get underway this year and work will be carried out over the next two to three years.

'This work will complement the more than $17 million worth of transport projects already announced in Rotorua including the $8.1 million SH5/Hemo Road roundabout, $5.5 million in cycling and $3.5 million in safety improvements.

'The Government is committed to future-proofing Rotorua's transport network and today's announcement brings our total roading investment in the area to $41 million,” Simon says.

The works will be co-funded by the Government through the NZ Transport Agency and Rotorua Lakes Council, and will include funding from the Urban Cycleways Fund with potential for further investment based on growth.

The government's announcement today of a multi-million transport package for Rotorua is a great start to a long-term roading solution which will not only ease pressure on a busy road but also help the region's economic growth, says Rotorua Lakes Council mayor Steve Chadwick.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick is 'delighted with the announcement”.

'Congestion on Te Ngae Road is a major problem for us and needs to be addressed.

'We are confident the announcement today and this development will go a long way to addressing this problem.

'However, it is important we look to a more comprehensive medium and long term solution to support growth and give certainty,” says Steve.

'We look forward to working with New Zealand Transport Agency to develop the business case to address the investment in Rotorua's growth.”

Steve says the council wants to see State Highway 30 Rotorua eastern arterial designation lifted. It was first applied in the early 1960s.

'This historic injustice needs to be addressed for local iwi (Ngati Uenukukopako, Te Roro o te Rangi, Hurunga te Rangi) to allow them an opportunity to manage and develop that land.

'If this package of investment announced by the minister today leads to that, this is a very important principle decision for us as a council. There is no long term need for that road for the next 20-50 years.

'It's great to have the attention and now the financial support of the Crown,” Steve says.