Construction work on Tauranga's Cameron Road is in full swing as work begins on new pedestrian and cyclist crossings.

This work will see some road intersections connecting with Cameron Road improved to create a safer and more pedestrian and cycle-friendly area, according to Tauranga City Council.

Bay of Plenty CCS Disability Action access coordinator Max Hale advocates for improving access in the community.

'This upgrade will make it safer, given that Cameron Road is such a main road of Tauranga.

'A really important part will be sufficient crossing points and accessible public transport – a lot of disabled people rely heavily on public transport, so we are making sure it's safe to cross the road,” says Max.

These changes include installing traffic lights with signalised crossings at some of the main intersections on Cameron Road.

One of these will be at the 9th Ave intersection, which is well-known to have safety concerns.

According to the council, to make this intersection safer for people to cross the roads and bike riders to use, initial work at the roundabout will begin this coming week, including removal of the large Swamp Oak tree.

'Where we need to remove a small number of trees, we will be balancing the loss of these trees with native trees and plants in other suitable areas along Cameron Road,” says Tauranga City Council's transport director Brendan Bisley.

Mana whenua will be given the wood from the 16 trees that will need to be removed as part of this project.

Trees and plants are a major feature of what we will see once the construction is completed with 30,000 more trees, plants and grasses added along Cameron Road from the city centre to 17th Ave.

'Adding significantly more trees and planting will help us to create walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods that are safe, open and clean, with places to meet – all things our local Te Papa community has said they would like,” says Brendan.    

But making such major changes to one of this city's key connecting routes does not come without disruption.

'It is critical we improve connections for all road users, particularly those who are vulnerable or choose to travel by alternative modes,” says Council's travel safe coordinator: workplaces, Yvonne Rooney.

'The final outcomes from the current construction along Cameron Road will certainly see this for our community.”

This project has received funding of $45m from the Government's IRG Covid Recovery Fund.