A 3D animation of the Tauranga Northern Link and interactive displays showing possible safety improvements for State Highway 2 are going on show this month.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is hosting a series of open days this month where Western Bay locals can find out more about the Government's $520 million investment to improve safety and congestion on SH2 between Waihi and Tauranga.

State Highway 2 through Te Puna. File Photo

Open days will be held in Katikati, Te Puna and Omokoroa on July 28, 29 and 30 respectively.

Bay of Plenty highways manager Niclas Johansson says there'll be information about when and where things will start happening, and what's involved going forward.

'The open days are also a great opportunity for people to meet the project teams' face-to-face, share ideas and ask any questions they may have,” says Niclas.

'The Tauranga Northern Link will be a big focus but we know people will also want to find out more about the other four projects that will be carried out as part of this investment.”

The aim of the open days is to answer as many questions as possible, plus get ideas and feedback about what the NZTA are proposing from the community and key stakeholders.

Niclas says the work will improve congestion and safety issues on the increasingly busy section of SH2.

'The upgrade of the road will support population growth and economic development for agribusinesses, tourism and freight transport industries,” he says.

'The changes are also expected to significantly reduce death and serious injury crashes on the route, which is one of the most high-risk sections of state highway in the country.”

Niclas says the Tauranga Northern Link project is moving ahead into a pre-implementation stage as the project team work towards a 2018 start date.

'This means purchasing the remaining property, developing the design for consenting, and tendering for a design and construct team to build the new road,” he adds.

Alongside this, work is underway to determine what changes, such as safety improvements and upgrades, will be made as part of the remaining four projects and when this work will be carried out.

Those projects are: the Waihi to Omokoroa safer corridor, Athenree to Katikati South targeted safety improvements, Omokoroa to Te Puna safety improvements, and Omokoroa to Te Puna capacity improvements.

NZTA PUBLIC INFORMATION DAYS:

• Thursday July 28: Katikati Resource Centre, 45 Beach Rd, Katikati, from 2:30pm–6:30pm
• Friday, July 29: WaterForce (next to the Te Puna Tavern), 15C Minden Rd, Te Puna, from 3pm–7pm
• Saturday, July 30: Omokoroa Settlers Hall, Omokoroa Road, Omokoroa, from 11am–2pm

For more information visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/tnl or email your contact details to Waihi2TGA@nzta.govt.nz to receive updates throughout the project.