Survey work looking to eliminate long term traffic congestion and promote safety at the Maunganui-Girven Road and Te Maunga intersections will begin today.

NZ Transport Agency is undertaking the survey work as part of the State Highway 29/State Highway 2 Te Maunga and Maunganui-Girven Rd intersections improvement project.

Survey work on the Te Maunga and Girven-Maunganui Road intersection begins.

The survey work will is targeted along the rail corridor from Te Maunga to Matapihi Road and includes topographical surveying and the locating of underground services.

NZTA Bay of Plenty acting highways manager Mark Haseley says the survey will provide further detail for the potential track realignment and the tie-in-points to the existing rail corridor, including relocating the level crossing at Matapihi Rd.

The Maunganui-Girven and Te Maunga intersections project looks to address the predicted long-term traffic volumes at these two busy intersections and some of the options being considered to improve congestion and safety.

Some of these options include potentially relocating the railway into the Matapihi rail corridor behind Owens Place – freeing up more land on Maunganui Rd.

Mark says all possible solutions are still being investigated with the project team looking to identify a preferred option delivering the following benefits to the community; reduce congestion in the area, improve travel time, provide more efficient connections and improve safety.

'This work is important to help identify the preferred option, ensuring that all factors have been taken into account.”

Analysis of the public feedback received at the open day in April, including environmental, cultural and social impacts assessments will also be taken into consideration when deciding on a preferred route.

Mark says the survey work is weather dependent and will take about a week to complete.

The preferred option for the project is expected to be announced early next year at a public open day.

For further information go to the Transport Agency website www.nzta.govt.nz/mgi