A planned $102million flyover project to reduce traffic congestion between Bayfair and Baypark is gaining public support from those attending a public open day today.

Hundreds of people took part in the information session at ASB Arena where NZTA provided detailed design plans for the two flyovers and relocation of train tracks that will relieve congestion at the Maunganui Girven Road intersection.

New Zealand Rail were at the event to discuss the changes to the tracks.

Girven Road flyover perspective.


Te Maunga intersection.

To assist with issues or questions the project team discussed construction timings, earthworks and stormwater effects, and the future use for the Liftan Place walkway, with the public.

NZTA project manager Greig Stephen says feedback for the overall project has been overly supportive with the public keen to see current traffic issues facing the area rectified.

The project will see one flyover take State Highway 2 traffic over the Girven Road roundabout intersection, while a second will route traffic from SH29 over the railway line and Te Maunga intersection at Baypark.

Greig says the roading project, expected to begin in early 2016, will reshape State Highway 2 between Baypark and Bayfair to reduce congestion and alleviate traffic congestion.

The existing railway line will be re-routed to behind Owens Place and its shopping centre and through part of the Omanu Golf Course.

'In terms of road noise because of the form of the road we will be proposing to using a special surfacing OGPA - open graded porous asphalt - that will reduce road noise for most residents,” says Greig.

'In respect to the rail noise, because we are relocating the railway as part of the works, we will use ballast matting spongey membrane below the railway track, and that will absorb the energy from train movements to reduce vibration.”

There will also be 200 metres of noise barriers installed to mitigate noise effects.

Greig also clarifies previous comments about the option of installing traffic lights as not being a 'long term enduring solution”.

'We want to be able to provide something that we won't have to go back in 10 years and fix up again.

'We want this to last for 40 plus years and traffic lights wouldn't give that level of service.”

He says feedback for the design and project has been very supportive from the outset when NZTA presented various options in 2013.

'We had more people than I think we have had at this kind of open day before.

'It's a very strongly supported because they do see the congestion at Bayfair roundabout as quite a problem so are keen to see this project move forward.”

Te Maunga intersection.

Girven Road flyover.

Girven Road flyover.