Preparatory work on Bethlehem's $1.8 million four laning project begins next week, with putting power lines underground and relocating a water main and phone line box.
"The work to relocate service lines should be completed by July," says NZTA State Highway Manager for the Bay of Plenty, Rod James.
The plan for Bethlehem town centre.
The main construction phase of the project involves widening a 300m section of SH2 between the Moffat Road roundabout and the new West Bethlehem roundabout, as well as providing urban design features.
The features include a new, signalised pedestrian crossing, a planted median strip and double-armed lighting poles.
"As a result of community consultation, we have altered the original design to include extra parking and features to enhance the connectivity between Bethlehem's two shopping areas and highlight the urban feel of the township," says Rod.
"Due to safety issues and land constraints we are not able to retain parking on the northern side of the highway. We have compensated for this by adding more parks where possible."
The project is intended to improve safety, travel time and reliability, and reduce congestion through the area.
Tauranga City Council is managing the construction on behalf of NZTA. It is expected to be finished by mid-December.
2 comments
Bethlehem Road Contract
Posted on 09-04-2010 13:57 | By Colin Beere
From: ColinB Obviously Jackb can not see the overall logic of this project . I happen to use this roadway many times a week and to be able to drive through and around the roundabouts when commencing my shopping or after completing my shopping will help enormously . This will allow people like myself, who think positively outside the square, to stop on the appropriate roadside nearest the shops and drive away up to and around the roundabout and continue my journey instead of trying to do a U turn on the main highway. It will cut down on the pedestrian traffic as people wont have to cross the road after parking. I suggest Jackb and others stop navel gazing and trust what our local roading experts are doing and are paid for . I suppose Jackb was one of the many few that had a negative view about the bridge roading as well? And look how well that turned out.
Sheer Madness
Posted on 08-04-2010 16:52 | By jackb
The NZTA did NOT consult - it did not listen to reason. What exactly does it think will be achieved from a piddling 300 metres of 4-lane roading between two roundabouts and two pedestrian crossings????
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