View online | Unsubscribe
 
banner

 
Story

Ōtaki to north of Levin update – December 2020

We’re working to build a new highway for regional and through traffic by the end of the decade, as part of our programme to make travel from Ōtaki to north of Levin safer and more resilient and increase transport choice for the area’s growing population.

In the last few months, we’ve been digesting feedback from our busy engagement period and planning the next steps for the new year.

As well as continuing our investigations into the new highway, we’re also considering additional safety improvement opportunities on SH57, and we’ll soon be opening a new project office in Levin.

We know 2020 has been a challenging year, and we’re grateful to the community for continuing to work with us on this programme. We wish you all a very safe and happy holiday and summer season, and we look forward to more conversations in the new year.

Story
 

Image
Story

Additional lengths of side barriers are proposed to provide further protection from roadside hazards.

Story
 
Story

SH57 safety improvement update

When we spoke to you about SH57 safety improvements in July/August this year, we let you know we were planning a roundabout at Arapaepae Road and Queen Street, as well as stretches of side barriers and wide centrelines.

As with all Waka Kotahi projects, we have conducted thorough technical and safety reviews of our plans on SH57 before we move into construction. This is to ensure we get the best safety improvements possible within the scope of each project.

Following community feedback and these technical reviews, we’ve identified the opportunity to provide further safety benefits through additional stretches of side barriers to protect from hazards such as tree trunks and culverts.

These additional stretches of side barrier are mostly on the opposite side of the road to the barrier already proposed (refer to the map above). The existing road seal will be widened to accommodate all proposed safety infrastructure and to improve the overall performance of the road.

There will be a minimum of 1.5m between the side barrier and the outside of the traffic lane along all stretches of side barrier, including 1.5m on both sides of the road where there are barriers on both sides. This is in addition to the widened painted centrelines, which will provide more space between the lanes of traffic.

The next step for the project is final confirmation of funding and seeking tenders for construction. The final scope will be confirmed at this stage. We’ll provide an update on this process and when we expect construction to start in our next newsletter.

If you are interested in discussing the newly proposed side barriers further, or would like to give some feedback, please email O2NL@nzta.govt.nz.

Story
 

 
Story

Formal consultation on SH57 speed

In July/August this year we asked for your thoughts on the current speed limit on SH57 between the SH1 intersection and Shannon. We talked with the local community and stakeholders to understand how the road is being used, any safety concerns and feedback on the speed limit.

We heard from many people who felt the current speed limits were too high for some stretches of road.  This feedback along with technical work helps determine what safe and appropriate speeds should be.

In early 2021, we will progress to the formal consultation stage of the speed review process. Changing a speed limit is a legal process, so this stage involves sharing a detailed proposal with people and asking for any additional information that might have an impact on the final decision.

Please keep an eye on these project updates for when formal consultation begins and how you can submit your feedback on the proposal.

After feedback from the formal consultation is considered, a final decision will be published on our website and the public will be notified.

Story
 

Image
Story

We spoke with hundreds of local community members during our engagement period.

Story
 
Story

Ō2NL Engagement Report Draft

In August/September this year, we hosted a series of drop-in information sessions and stakeholder meetings on the draft preferred alignment for the new highway. About 800 people attended these events and provided their feedback.

We collected feedback from 269 comments on our interactive Social Pinpoint map, 26 completed survey forms and 68 emails.

two page summary of the engagement and the draft engagement report are now available to view. At this stage, the report shares feedback and themes from the engagement period but does not yet include conclusions and responses to feedback.

We’ll publish the full report, with this extra information, early in 2021, once we’ve worked through possible refinements to the draft preferred alignment.

Story
 

Image
Story

Chris Hendrickson from Stantec's transportation team uses a handheld magnetometer near Levin. Insert:Magnetometer screen.

Story
 
Story

New highway investigations

As part of the Ō2NL project investigations, we identified the need for a geophysical survey to further investigate the archaeological values of three locations within the preferred corridor.

The investigations at Pukehou, Kohitere and Heatherlea will help inform the development of the new highway. The survey involves surveying/pegging out each grid at the different locations, then using a handheld magnetometer device throughout the grid area to identify any potential archaeological considerations.

No invasive works are undertaken during this initial survey. If any archaeological considerations are identified, they are recorded for further investigation later.

Story
 

Image
Story

The new Ō2NL project office will be opening in 2021.

Story
 
Story

New project office in Levin

We are currently renovating a new project office in Levin at 171 Oxford Street, formerly the Co-operative Bank.

The new office will be a base in your community for the project team to continue to work on the programme, including on safety improvements on the existing roads as well as the longer-term project of building the new highway.

From early 2021, the office will be open to the public one day a week or by appointment and will be a permanent home for information shared during engagement periods.

Story
 

 
Story

Coming up early next year

New highway: refinement of the draft preferred alignment is continuing into the new year. You can expect an update in early 2021, along with publication of the technical reports that were part of the decision-making process, and the final version of the engagement report with conclusions and responses to feedback.

Safety improvements on SH57: an update on construction timing and formal consultation for the speed review is expected early in the year.

SH1 from Ōtaki to Levin: safety improvements including stretches of median barrier and a roundabout at the SH1/SH57 intersection are being discussed with stakeholder groups. Proposals will be shared through an engagement period next year, and speeds are also being considered in the area.

SH1 from Levin to the Manawatū River: we’ve been meeting with the community to begin the conversation on safety improvements and the longer term plans, and we will be meeting again in the new year.

Story
 

 
spacer

More information and support

spacer
 
 
Story

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl to find about our work in the corridor or check out:

Our email newsletters will let you know when there’s new information available on our website.

Do you know people who want to know more? They can subscribe here.

For more information on the Ōtaki to north of Levin project, contact us at o2nl@nzta.govt.nz or call 0508 625 4636.

Story