More ways to move on Grenada Street

Grenada Street is set for some changes to the road
layout, which will make it safer and easier for the Arataki
community to walk, cycle and catch a bus along this
road.

Tauranga City Council has announced their plan
for a two-way, separated cycle path on the south side of
Grenada Street as well as a new shared path through Arataki
Park, a morning peak bus lane along a short section of
Grenada Street and improved pedestrian crossing facilities.
These changes are planned for the length of Grenada Street
between Girven Road and Sandhurst Drive.
  
 
A signalised crossing for people
to safely cross Girven Road from Arataki Park to the Bayfair
shopping centre, linking to Marlin Street, is also included
in the plan.
 
The plan will mean some changes
for people living on and traveling through Grenada Street
and the adjacent roads. Besides giving the community more
ways to get around in their neighbourhood by creating a
safer traffic environment for people who walk, cycle, or
catch a bus, the plan also has benefits for drivers. Lanes
will be shared with less people on bikes and there are fewer
parked cars on-street to navigate. On the other hand, they
will need to adjust to the new elements on the road, such as
in-lane bus stops and the new cycleway.
 
Council
is asking for people to have a good look at the current plan
and share any local knowledge that can help them fine-tune
it.
 
Tauranga City Council Director of
Transport, Brendan Bisley, says that this project will
contribute to giving people more options to get around in
their neighbourhood.
 
“Over the past few
years, the Arataki community has let us know that getting
around safely and easily in their neighbourhoods can be
challenging. They have told us they want less traffic
congestion, safer and separated cycleways and walkways, and
better public transport.”
 
“Grenada Street is
an important and well-used route for school children,
commuters and the community to get to and from school, work,
local parks, shops, the beach or other places they want to
go. It’s also a key link in the wider Tauranga cycle
network. That’s why this road has been selected to undergo
some improvements.”
 
“Dedicated
infrastructure like separated cycle lanes and shared paths
can encourage more people to walk or cycle on this road with
confidence.”

Shelley Craig, Acting Principal at
Arataki School, is enthusiastic about the plan, especially
about the safety benefits for school
children.
 
“Many of our tamariki bike along
Grenada Street and separating them out from faster and
heavier traffic is a big win for us. We’re also pleased to
see Council is providing the new signalised crossing on
Girven Road so our tamariki have a safe connection between
Arataki Park and Marlin Street, which links Arataki to the
wider Bayfair area, as well as the intermediate and
college.”
 
Matt Skilton, Principal at Tahatai
Coast School, says, “Ensuring our roads are safe for our
community to use, especially our tamariki when cycling to
and from school, can only be a positive step in the right
direction.”
 
“The planned changes to Grenada
Street mean that some on-street car parking will need to be
removed,” Brendan Bisley explains. “Based on what we
know about use of parking in the area, we believe we’ve been
able to keep enough parks to meet current
needs.” 
 
Council has started
conversations about this project with local businesses,
community organisations and schools. A map showing the main
changes to the road is being shared with all residents,
along with a letter outlining the planned changes. Public
consultation is open until 5pm Sunday, 9 July 2023. People
are invited to share their feedback and local knowledge
online at letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/grenada.

Community
drop-in sessions will also be held at the following times so
people can view the plan in person, chat to the project team
and share their thoughts:

• Wednesday, 21
  June, 2.30 to 5.30pm in Arataki Park (if weather
  permits, otherwise in the Arataki Community
  Centre)
• Saturday, 24 June, 1 to 3pm at the
  Arataki Community Centre.

This community
feedback will then be considered as part of finalising the
plan for Grenada Street.

Construction for this
project is planned to start in October 2023 and completion
is expected by late June
2024.
 
Transport
Choices
This project is one of two Tauranga
based projects that will be funded through the Waka Kotahi
Transport Choices programme, part of the national Climate
Emergency Response Fund (CERF) programme. A key aim of this
plan is to reduce land transport emissions by 41 percent by
2035, achieved by reducing our dependency on cars in favour
of walking, cycling and public transport.

95% of the
project costs will be funded by Waka Kotahi and 5% through
rates by Tauranga City Council.
 
More
information: letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/grenada
and www.nzta.govt.nz/transport-choices.

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