A missing link in the Papamoa road network will be built next year.

Work will begin in January to build the Grenada Street link across land between Sunrise Avenue and Sandhurst Drive that is currently privately owned.

A map showing the link on Grenada Street. Photo: Supplied.

The landowner, Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Incorporated, has agreed to vest a portion of its land to Tauranga City Council – an agreement that will enable the road to be completed years ahead of schedule.

'Negotiations were triggered by a confidential submission that Pacific Coast Village made to the council's Long Term Plan earlier this year,” says a statement from Tauranga City Council.

'The final agreement between the three parties was approved on Tuesday.”

Council have also had discussions with New Zealand Transport Agency about getting funding assistance for the new road, which will cost around $1.3 million.

A funding application will be submitted through the National Land Transport Programme.

Grenada Street – a major arterial route between Papamoa and Bayfair – is complete, other than a 400 metre portion which runs behind Pacific Coast Village.

Traffic becomes congested almost daily at the front of the village on Maranui Street, which is the only route currently available.

The Maori Land Court gave its consent this week and it is expected that tenders for the works will be called shortly.

Furthermore, Mangatawa (a shareholder in the retirement village as well as a significant land owner in the area) and Pacific Coast Village have agreed on a cost sharing arrangement with council that will see the road finished next year.

The managing partner of Pacific Coast Village, Graham Wilkinson, says the outcome is a great result for the area, and that all parties should be commended on their contribution to finding a practical solution that will benefit Papamoa and Mount Maunganui's communities.

'The completion of Grenada Street is great news for the area,” says Graham.

'Not only will it free up congestion along Maranui Street for locals, improving safety along this stretch, but it will also provide another access/exit route to the Pacific Coast Village.

'The village is growing rapidly and another link road will ensure easy and safe access for our residents and their visitors.”

Councillor Steve Morris says the ‘missing link' between The Mount and Papamoa will be warmly welcomed by residents, who have advocated for its construction for years.

'It will further reduce traffic on both busy Maranui Street and Papamoa Beach Road West, which have seen traffic volumes fall as a result of the opening of the Mangatawa interchange.

'It also provides another route for commuters reluctant to use the Bayfair and Baypark roundabouts.

'This road, along with the opening of the new connection to Truman Lane on Monday, are part of council's work to successfully manage a growing city that is easy to move around in.”