Safety upgrades along Totara Street in Mount Maunganui are nearing completion.

Calls for safety improvements were made following the death of a cyclist in May 2020. There was also a scooter fatality in 2018.

In September 2021, Waka Kotahi Transport Agency approved the partnership funding for the Totara Street safety upgrade.

The works started in October 2021 and is expected to be completed in spring this year.

Working together with Fulton Hogan, Tauranga City Council has been working on a 3m shared path on the eastern side of Totara Street, along with other additions to the road. Read more here.

'We're not putting it on the port side of Totara Street because there is a conflict where the railway line splits into two tracks - KiwiRail doesn't permit cycle paths to cross their tracks in those circumstances and it's not feasible to build an overpass or underpass,” council says on its website.

Council says the shared path is designed for everyday users, rather than for people who are training or want to ride at speed.

'It's not a perfect solution. If you use Totara Street as a cycling training route, we recommend riding on the road as a bunch where possible and taking the lane.”

Council's transport infrastructure outcomes manager Mark Burgess says as one of the main traffic corridors in and out of Mount Maunganui, Totara Street has seen an increase in demand from people who want to walk, bike or scooter to move around the city.

'The shared path and cycleway will create a safer option for people who use Totara Street as part of their commute, whether walking, cycling or driving.”

A map showing where the improvements have been taking place. Image: Tauranga City Council.

Although the project is not finished, Burgess says completed sections of the shared path are seeing some great use from the community.

'By creating separation between vehicles and those using alternative modes of transport, the addition of the shared path and separated cycle way means that the community can use this stretch of road safely regardless of how they choose to travel.”