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Further changes to a “confusing” road layout in Tauriko aim to make navigation simpler for road users, Tauranga City Council says.
Lane closures and lane delineators have been in place since May 26 as part of Taurikura Drive upgrade works.
The works, taking place between the SH36 roundabout and Whiore Ave, will see two new signalised intersections, a new pedestrian crossing and new walking and cycling options added to Taurikura Drive.
The council’s contractors had originally placed traffic dividers around the roundabout intersecting Taurikura Drive, Takitimu Drive/State Highway 36 and Lakes Boulevard.
SunLive reported last week that some drivers had found the layout confusing, with dividers taking some exits down from two lanes to one and restricting lane changes.
“It confused everyone and people were stopping in the middle of the roundabout. Just absolute chaos,” said one motorist.
Lane dividers on the roundabout last week. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
A worker in the area said customers were coming into her workplace complaining about the layout and how they didn’t understand when to change lanes until it was too late.
In a statement this week, Tauranga City Council head of transport Mike Seabourne said the roundabout had been monitored since the changes were introduced.
“The previous layout required drivers to transition lanes within the roundabout to access Taurikura Drive, which will no longer be needed,” said Seabourne.
“The new layout will make the roundabout simpler to navigate, especially for drivers wanting to access Taurikura Drive and the Tauranga Crossing shopping centre.”
Seabourne said council has come up with a new plan and alterations will be made overnight on Thursday.
The Tauriko roundabout intersecting Taurikura Drive, Takitimu Drive/State Highway 36 and Lakes Boulevard. Photo / Ayla Yeoman
“We’ve seen some challenges associated with the previous traffic management set-up and have heard from our community, so we’re changing the layout of lane closures on the roundabout.
“The new traffic management measures should provide an easier layout for drivers to follow, while still supporting our accelerated programme of works to upgrade Taurikura Drive.”
The new road layout will involve closing the right-hand lane on SH36 from the Takitimu roundabout to the SH36/Taurikura Drive roundabout.
This was in addition to closing some of the right-hand lane on the roundabout and the right-hand lane on Lakes Boulevard at the approach to the roundabout.
“A lower speed limit will still apply within the area under the traffic management layout change.”
Seabourne said the council was confident these changes will make a positive impact.
“We will continue to monitor the site closely as the change is implemented.”
Tauranga City Council has updated its graphics showing how to use the new roundabout layout.
The new layout for accessing Taurikura Drive. Graphic / TCC
The new layout for accessing State Highway 36 North. Graphic / TCC
The new layout for accessing Lakes Boulevard. Graphic / TCC
The new layout for accessing State Highway 36 South. Graphic / TCC
For more information visit tauranga.govt.nz/taurikura-drive.
16 comments
Overit
Posted on 11-06-2025 12:44 | By overit
Dont fix whats not broken.
What is the goal here?
Posted on 11-06-2025 12:54 | By Opinion100
No thoughtful planning what so ever for the current installation,
just install on a hope and a whim.
waste of time and money.
useless at its finest, a mockery i tell ya.
Tauriko Crossing Ballzup
Posted on 11-06-2025 13:05 | By Cap'n Cray
I'm pleased to see some response to the complaints of the stupidity exhibited by "traffic planners" but can someone please explain how or why changing from a two or three lane smooth flowing traffic zone into a reduced lane spaghetti system is seen to be advantageous to safety or efficiency?
Roundabout changes
Posted on 11-06-2025 13:13 | By DelboyNZ
Brilliant TCC! They've actually come up with what this roundabout should have been right from the beginning!, ie. two lanes rather than three! In all my years of driving in numerous countries I don't think I've come across a three-lane roundabout that isn't light controlled. This will make it easier trying to get out of Lakes Boulevard in the dark, when before you had three lanes of headlights bearing down on you,
The Master
Posted on 11-06-2025 13:36 | By Ian Stevenson
Yet another example of TCC planning at its finest...
Huge time and cost already, and yet more wonderments to follow I am sure.
The Consultants bill to remedy the mess made will be eye-wateringly huge also...
If only they took full responsibility for what they do?
About time
Posted on 11-06-2025 13:46 | By Angel74
The council stop doing things blind folded or sitting in their office in front of a computer.
@ Tauranga City Council
Posted on 11-06-2025 14:56 | By Yadick
Thank you for listening. It is appreciated.
Confusion
Posted on 11-06-2025 15:14 | By CliftonGuy
I recall in 1964, I was visiting family in the UK. We were in my grandfather's car and he encountered his first roundabout. I think he did about 3-4 circuits before he managed to get off on the road he wanted to go.
Good
Posted on 11-06-2025 17:20 | By Kancho
Well that's good that the message got through and adjustments made. I'm actually in the camp of light controlled intersections. It gives more certainty of safe movement providing of course people obey the lights. I remember the welcome bay roundabout system that people got stuck at at peak times as right if way was very difficult to achieve. I believe our people couldn't sort it out but a group from England gave us the successful system we have now where everyone gets a turn . Brilliant
An Improvement
Posted on 11-06-2025 17:28 | By Fernhill22
Good to see that TCC are finally listening.
Although saying that, I would still have to question why there is any need to make any changes to this roundabout at all.
The issue that everyone has- Is these stupid lane dividers, remove these completely & traffic will flow. Everyone can then figure out that there is only one lane to head towards the crossing and navigate accordingly.
If you go online to view these changes, it looks like there are going to be 2 sets of traffic lights leading up to the crossing. Not sure what numpty came up with this idea, but I can't see that working well.
What about bayfair roundabout?
Posted on 11-06-2025 19:52 | By jed
The purpose of a roundabout is so you don't need traffic lights.
Instead, for some reason 'road engineers' get the craziest idea in their heads and decided to make a roundabout with traffic lights!! It is so confusing.
Stop trying to "fix" things that are not broken
Posted on 11-06-2025 21:38 | By Pedro2
Roundabouts are efficient traffic solutions that have worked perfectly well for the last 50 years or so.
Why is this council so fixated on traffic lights that impede free flowing traffic and cost unnecessary power usage.
All traffic lights could be turned off outside peak traffic time, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions, instead of increasing them by idling waiting for lights to change
Common sense seems to completely lacking in the majority of council projects these days.
Jed
Posted on 12-06-2025 07:43 | By Thats Nice
What we've got to remember with the Bayfair roundabout is that it's no longer a roundabout. Follow the lights immediately in front of you. It's a great improvement I believe.
Thats nice
Posted on 12-06-2025 12:39 | By jed
I can agree. The lane tracking is weird, and I’ve been in the car with other drivers who get confused. Then, you’re concentrating on the lanes and you miss the lights because they are angled incorrectly. It’s fine if u use that roundabout all the time, but to new people it takes some learning.
Also, when traffic is light, you have to wait for lights now… a proper roundabout is far better -and copes with varying traffic levels more efficiently.
Still Chaos
Posted on 12-06-2025 16:45 | By Fernhill22
Still chaos again today.
Please get rid of these lane dividers, it's creating traffic mayhem!!
This should be pretty simple to do, as we can't carry on for a year with this current status quo.
TCC & Councilors you really need to review the decisions made by your traffic management team before they get implemented to avoid a shambles like this happening again.
Based on their previous record of traffic "improvements" over the past few years, I think we can all say that it hasn't been great at all.
Unsuitable
Posted on 14-06-2025 15:20 | By Duegatti
Roundabouts are proven to keep traffic flowing, everywhere but in NZ.
I couldn't count how many times I've seen 2 or 3 entrances to a roundabout at a standstill because everyone is giving way to a car on their right who's giving way to a car on their right etc.
Then there's those who think roundabouts are like stop signs. The concept of looking for vehicles as you approach the roundabout is anathema. They have to stop then look.
Add zero lane discipline, and you have the joy of driving here.
I believe the answer to traffic congestion here is to have drivers pass a practical driving test every 10 years.
It'll halve the number of cars on our roads.
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