The days of heavy traffic congestion on State Highway 2 in Bethlehem could be nearing an end now that both lanes heading toward Tauranga have opened.
Faster journey…the road heading into Bethlehem.
Motorists travelling on State Highway 2 toward Tauranga have experienced long delays in recent weeks as a result of the four lane upgrades in Bethlehem township.
Both Tauranga-bound lanes opened for the first time on Friday morning, dramatically cutting traffic build-up. The lanes will be opened during peak times each morning but then closed to allow work to continue in the median strip.
New Zealand Transport Agency spokesperson, Philippa Ross James, says travel time from Te Puna to the Moffat Road roundabout was 12 minutes during the peak hour morning rush.
The organisation was contacted by Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson who said many residents had phoned him to express their pleasure at the lack of congestion.
NZTA still has to finish minor work on the project, such as road sealing and landscaping.
The agency is also looking at bringing the project's final completion date forward to mid-to-late November, says Philippa.
7 comments
DREAMING!!!
Posted on 29-10-2010 14:23 | By jackb
Wait until the promised second central pedestrian crossing is in place from the shops to the Village Centre. THEN check the traffic congestion. I wonder who or where the "many residents" were? One? Two? Friends of NZTA??
Susie Phillips
Posted on 29-10-2010 21:57 | By Susie P
Two roundabouts, four lanes, traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing in the space of 300 mts! Bit of an over kill? Take away lights and put an overhead walkway for pedestrians and it will work. Oh, and please put the overtaking lane back on Clarke Hill!
What a load of BS
Posted on 29-10-2010 22:40 | By Patt
The whole traffic situation from Te Puna right through Bethlehem is a total shambles. In the morning the traffic jams up to Wairoa bridge, causing high risk of accidents. Queue jumpers off Station Road are part of the congestion. Then, out of a truly spirited moment in safety improvement, the New Zealand Transport Agency have taken away the take-over lane; now people risk dangerous maneuvers while a slow truck is halfheartedly trying to keep left. Does NZTA actually realize the mayhem north of Bethlehem?
Bethlehem dreaming
Posted on 30-10-2010 08:26 | By [email protected]
Why will it work in Bethlehem when it's failed in Te Puke. The TNA is the solution that's been planned for 12 years. Get on with it. Why not beautify the ugly entry over the bridge - plantings each side of the river and along the road side where graffiti prevails on the S side.
another idiotic waste of money
Posted on 30-10-2010 13:20 | By monty111
Who on earth decides on these idiotic schemes at the ratepayers cost? All it does is move the bottlenecks and increase the traffic problems.
Money spent on the wrong project
Posted on 31-10-2010 11:13 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I can't believe the powers that be can get away with this total waste of public money. The northern arterial route from Ainsworth road to Route K SHOULD have been the priority. They are spending plenty on the Eastern arterial when a Te Puke by-pass and road upgrade is all that's necessary. We've been sitting in traffic jams {sometimes as far back as Snodgrass road} for to many years now. Once again the powers that be allowed lifestyle development to proceed unhindered north of the city without the appropriate infastructure in place. And as for removing the Clark hill passing lane, well that just leaves me gob-smacked. They widen the road and reduce it to a single lane carriage-way. GO FIGURE! These people think they're rocket scientists But I think Hone could come up with a better description of them. "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS" I say.
NZTA= NZ Traffic Amateurs
Posted on 31-10-2010 22:52 | By SpeakUp
Truly a brain-dead idea: Close the essential Clarke hill takeover lane and put it into Bethlehem!!! Who are these people at NZTA who play with our lives? How do they get into these well-paid positions but do a lousy job? As so often, the higher these people are paid the less they seem to be accountable for job performance. You couldn't come up with a more stupid traffic plan if you tried. And all that at a snails pace.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.