Major road improvements complete in Ōmokoroa
Two key roads in Ōmokoroa are now safer and easier to use thanks to major upgrades completed this month.
Improvements totalling almost $10 million have been made to Ōmokoroa Road and Western Avenue as part of Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s efforts to prepare the Peninsula for growth.
The Ōmokoroa Road Urbanisation Stage 1 and Western Avenue Urbanisation projects are also the first of Council’s projects partially funded by the Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) fund to be completed.
The projects involved upgrading sections of both roads, totalling 2.0km, from the old rural road condition to a new urbanised standard.
The existing road has been widened to 11.5m and new 2.5m shared paths have been constructed on both sides of the road, as well as through Western Avenue Reserve.
Council’s Project Manager, Raj Sumeran, says two of the Peninsula’s most important roads are now safer, fit-for-purpose and more accessible to all users.
“These upgrades will make a massive difference to the day-to-day travel of people through Ōmokoroa, and go a long way to helping ensure the area is ready for the growth that is coming.
“The shared paths we’ve built will eventually link up with future planned paths to create a trail through the Peninsula – enabling enjoyable and safe alternative options for travel to and from school, work, shops and recreation.”
The projects also included undergrounding of powerlines, new streetlights and plantings, two new roundabouts, bus bays, safe crossing points, and kerbing.
“Thank you to the Ōmokoroa community for their patience as we completed this work, we hope they enjoy the results,” says Raj.
About Ōmokoroa Peninsula Projects
Council estimates by 2050 the Ōmokoroa Peninsula will be fully developed and home to an estimated 12,000 residents.
To cater for this significant growth, Council is planning ahead by undertaking a series of more than 15 projects – roading, recreation, cycleways, stormwater, building and planning – to ensure current and future residents benefit from a great quality infrastructure.
In August 2020, Council received $14 million through the CIP fund to start work on several of these projects.
