Improvements confirmed for Rotorua’s SH30A/Amohau Street

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A package of improvements has been confirmed for Rotorua’s State Highway 30A/Amohau Street.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is working with Rotorua Lakes Council to upgrade SH30A/Amohau Street, from Old Taupō Road to Sala Street, known as the Central Corridor.

Detailed design for the project is now complete and the improvements for the corridor have been finalised.

Waka Kotahi Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton says the improvements have been finalised following several rounds of consultation with stakeholders, affected businesses and property owners, and the wider public.

“We’ve worked closely with the Rotorua community to ensure the improvements we construct consider the feedback and needs of those who know their community best.

“We are confident this project will create a much safer and enjoyable city centre environment for locals and tourists alike.”

The project will focus on improving access and safety on the corridor for all types of travel, supporting the revitalisation of the city centre. 

 “One of the project’s priorities is to reduce the existing conflict between cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles using the corridor,” says Ms Wilton.

The design includes a new shared path on both sides of the road, safety improvements to key intersections such as SH30A/Pukuatua Street, new signalised pedestrian crossings and upgrading existing crossing points.

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The project also involves the revocation of SH30A, meaning ownership of the road will be handed over to Council to manage as a local arterial road, once construction is complete.

Rotorua Lakes Council’s General Manager Infrastructure Stavros Michael says the project will greatly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, help to balance traffic flow and provide better connectivity for the community.

“We are pleased to see this piece of work progressing and look forward to construction getting underway. This continues to be a busy and important road corridor and these upgrades are necessary to ensure a better overall outcome for our community and especially our CBD.

“It is also great to see Waka Kotahi include shared pathways as part of this project, which will connect our shared path network from east to west and complement our community’s increasing use of alternative modes of transport.”

Construction is subject to funding and will likely begin between late-2021 and early-2022.

The Central Corridor is part of the Connect Rotorua programme to futureproof two of Rotorua’s key transport networks: SH30A/Amohau Street and SH30/Te Ngae Road (the Eastern Corridor).

For more information about the Central Corridor and Connect Rotorua, including a full map of the Central Corridor improvements, visit nzta.govt.nz/connect-rotorua(external link)

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