The Maunganui Road safety upgrade is entering its next phase, creating a safer, greener environment for locals and visitors regardless of how they chose to travel.

Improvements will include the construction of a roundabout at Tui street, which requires one lane of Maunganui Road to be closed from Tuesday, 19 April for up to five weeks.

The project is implementing road calming measures to improve safety and will construct improved pedestrian and cycling facilities as well as plant grass, trees and shrubs to create a greener, more inviting street.

Maunganui Road is a key route into the Mount, with shops and cafes open for business either side of the road. The project will have some impacts to traffic over the next few months, requiring temporary detours and limited parking at times.

"All the businesses along Maunganui Road remain open, and we encourage the community to continue to support local. The team is working hard to get this whole upgrade done before next summer, which is by far the busiest time for this area. In the meantime, we're asking locals to support locals, while we continue to work together to improve this part of the Mount," says Director of Transport Brendan Bisley.

"Speed on Maunganui Road has been a concern for years, as is the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Mounties love to use their bikes, and this work is will create a calmer, more predictable environment for everyone who travels through the area no matter how they chose to move."

Work on this section of road was planned to start earlier this year, but was delayed to avoid construction over the busy summer season for local businesses.

The construction will include:

• safe crossing points
• new median isles, physically separating lanes
• new roundabouts at Tui Street, Hinau Street, Matai Street and Sutherland Avenue
• a shared path
• dedicated bike lanes
• grass, planting and trees

The construction of the Tui Street roundabout requires one lane of Maunganui Road to be closed from Tuesday, 19 April for up to five weeks. This means southbound traffic, coming from the Mount, will be diverted via Hull Road, Newton Street and Hewletts Road, or Dee Street, Ranch Road or Valley Road and Golf, for the duration of construction.

The detours are expected to be in place for up to five weeks. Supplied photo.

Brendan Bisley acknowledges construction and traffic management has an impact on local businesses and may cause some frustration for residents as well.

"We are confident of the long term value of this work to the community, and we also understand that construction in a busy, well-loved area will have impacts over the coming months. Mahi will coincide with the school holidays to start with which will hopefully ease some of the effects."

"We know roadworks can be frustrating, but please don't let them stop you from supporting your local shops."

More information on the construction can be found at www.tauranga.govt.nz/maunganui.