The New Zealand Transport Agency is inviting people to have their say on a shortlist of ideas to make State Highway 2 between Waihi and Tauranga safer and more reliable.

People will have the chance to review the shortlist and also their say on proposed improvements at series of Community Information Days in Katikati, Waihi and Omokoroa, starting March 30.

'The shortlist of options has been developed following community information days held in July 2016. More than 800 people attended these and talked to us about their concerns and what they would like to see changed,” says NZTA highways manager Niclas Johansson.

'Following those events, workshops and meetings were held with key stakeholders such as the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, iwi partners, freight groups, emergency services and the Avocado and Kiwifruit industry to capture their insights and ideas.”

The shortlist includes many ideas from these groups and the communities along the highway.

Niclas says NZTA staff will be available to talk through the shortlist of options for SH2 which it believes will support planned growth and make this stretch of road safer and more reliable.

'These information days are a chance for people to review the shortlist and speak to the project team about the options being considered. The Transport Agency understands how important this stretch of road is to those that live and travel along it.

'We encourage people to come along and ask questions, give feedback and meet the team that will be working to improve this highway over the coming years.”

Information about the Katikati Bypass and progress on the Tauranga Northern Link will also be available at the open days, adds Niclas.

NZTA COMMUNITY INFORMATION DAYS:

• Katikati –Thursday, March 30, from 11am until 3pm at the War Memorial Hall
• Waihi – Friday, March 31, from 11am until 3pm at St John's Anglican Church
• Omokoroa – Saturday, April 1, from 11am until 3pm at Omokoroa, Settlers' Hall