The open day where the public can view the NZ Transport Agency's options to improve State Highway 29 was held Thursday afternoon at the Tauriko School.

The options.

'Three options have been identified to improve the safety and efficiency of SH29 between Omanawa Road in the south to the Route K junction in the north, says NZTA's BOP State Highway Manager, Rod James.

'They include upgrading the existing route, or building a new road either to the north or south of the current highway. The open day is an opportunity for people to find out about the options, talk to our team and give us their thoughts.”

Before funding can be considered for the detailed design stages of a preferred option, an analysis of each route must be carried out says Rod. Engineering work sufficient to make accurate cost estimates as well as talking to potentially affected landowners and communities are important parts of that process.

'While we understand that investigations involving several options can be unsettling for people, it's a vital part of the process and we'll be working hard to complete this stage as quickly, efficiently and transparently as possible,” says Rod.