The Mount Maunganui railway crossing where a young person was killed this week was previously considered for a safety upgrade in 2020 – but the proposal didn’t secure funding.

The upgrade proposal included automated gates for pedestrians and cyclists, and was identified as one of a number of railway crossings "posing a safety risk" across the country, according to Waka Kotahi.

Located near the Golf Road and Hewletts Road roundabout, the crossing was considered as part of the National Level Crossing programme in 2020.

“In addition to the gates for the rail crossing, wider improvements were identified," says Waka Kotahi regional manager of maintenance and operations, Rob Campbell.

These improvements included changes to the road layout, and a "major pavement rehabilitation" of the roundabout.

The approximate cost for the safety upgrade sat "between $1 and $2 million dollars", but "didn’t secure funding" through the National Land Transport Programme at the time.

Due to the "highly complex" environment the rail crossing is situated in, the upgrade would have also required "substantial changes" to the wider area, according to Rob.

"We will consider the outcomes of current investigation and look for opportunities to work with Tauranga City Council and Kiwi Rail to make improvements in the future."

Police at the scene of the incident on Tuesday, August 1. Photo: SunLive.

Minister of Transport David Parker says the funding decisions on individual crossings are "not made by the Minister", and are made by Waka Kotahi, and local councils along with KiwiRail.

KiwiRail chief operations officer Siva Sivapakkiam says most level crossing upgrades occur as part of a broader transport programme promoted by councils, where the funding decision ultimately sits with Waka Kotahi, which "must work within its funding constraints".

"There will be a full investigation of this incident, and when it is complete we will work with Waka Kotahi and Tauranga City Council to look at possible improvements.

"We understand that events like this are deeply traumatic for all those involved, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected."