The land between Te Ngae Road and the lake edge has been confirmed as the preferred route for the Rotorua Eastern Arterial (REA).

The NZ Transport Agency has announced the preferred route today on land which has been designated for this purpose since 1963.

A map of part of the Rotorua Eastern Arterial (REA).

At a Rotorua District Council meeting today, NZTA's regional director Harry Wilson says the agency investigated options to improve the city's eastern corridor.

He says the aim of the REA is to support the city's economic growth objectives and manage congestion through the busy corridor.

Henry says the preferred option was chosen because it will deliver the best outcomes and benefits including:

· Improved travel time and journey reliability.

· More efficient connections.

· Ease congestion by separating state highway and local traffic.

· Improved safety by reducing conflicting travel movements at intersections.

· Soundest long-term solution to meet the needs of the Rotorua Eastern corridor and

wider region.

· Enable lake water quality improvements to proceed.

Henry says the route chosen is the most economic option and takes into consideration safety, efficiency and wider economic benefits with the least impact on directly affected land owners and businesses.

The next step for the project is to confirm the extent of land required and to prepare a Notice of Requirement (NoR) for alteration to the existing designation which has been confirmed in the City Plan since 1963.

The NoR will be lodged with Rotorua District Council and if confirmed will be included in the District Plan.

'Once the NoR is lodged with the council, it will be publicly notified and a public hearing may be held.

'Any party may make submissions in support or opposition, and request to be ‘heard' at the council hearing. This is a very important part of the process.”

He says as a key part of preparation of the NoR, the NZTA needs to complete the consultation process with key stakeholders, affected land owners and Iwi.

The council will then make a recommendation, with or without conditions, and if the NZTA are happy with the recommendation, they will accept it.

The council will then notify submitters and directly affected landowners of the outcome.

If there are no appeals to the decision, the changes to the existing designation will be included in the District Plan.

Henry says no date has been set for the construction of this new highway because this is dependent on future demand.

'However, in conjunction with local council the agency will proceed with planning for this road now to ensure when demand requires we are ready to go.”