Ōtaki to north of Levin update – December 2022

Muaūpoko, local hapū from Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Waka Kotahi are working to create a positive legacy for the region while we build a new, safer and more reliable State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin.

Waka Kotahi is implementing new safer speed limits on the existing SH1 and SH57 this week following public consultation on both roads. This is part of New Zealand’s Road to Zero strategy which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

The temporary speed limit of 80km/h south of Ohau will become permanent this week.

New safer speed limits on SH1 & SH57 to be rolled out this week

We are rolling out new, safer speed limits State Highway 1 and State Highway 57 in Horowhenua next week. This includes new speeds along Kimberley Road and Arapaepae Road on SH57 and between Manakau and Ohau on SH1. A temporary speed limit of 80km/h has already been in place in 2022 at Kuku.

We previously engaged with the public and stakeholders and held formal consultation on these sections of road – in August/September 2021 for SH57 and earlier this year for SH1.

Formal consultation, along with technical assessments helped to determine safe and appropriate speeds for these roads. We reviewed the speeds that people were currently travelling at, the nature and design of the road itself, as well as the various infrastructure improvements planned, under construction and completed on these roads.

We also considered the future use of these roads with the upcoming completion of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway.

Our speeds really matter. They can make a substantial difference to creating safe and sustainable communities. By adopting safe speeds on our roads and streets, we can help everyone get around safely, no matter how they travel.

View the full list of speed limit changes, as well as maps, on our webpage here.

When we consulted on proposed speed limits for SH57, this also included the section of road between Heatherlea East Road and Shannon. This section was reconsulted on as part of the draft Interim Speed Management Plan – and submissions closed on 12 December 2022.

What is Road to Zero?

Road to Zero is New Zealand’s road safety strategy. It has a vision of an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. Waka Kotahi is one of many partners involved in making New Zealand's transport system safer so that Vision Zero can be realised.

To achieve Vision Zero, we need to create a safe transport system which recognises that people make mistakes and is designed so that these mistakes do not need to cost lives.

This requires a mix of solutions that combine to keep people safe, including setting safe speed limits, improving the safety of roads and roadsides, and encouraging people to buy the safest vehicles they can afford.

You can read more about Road to Zero on our website. You can also check out this video which explains all the things that go into setting a speed limit.

Members of the public chat with the project team about the new highway's preliminary concept designs at a drop-in session in Levin in May.

Ōtaki to north of Levin – 2022 review

This is the final Ō2NL project newsletter of the year, and as we look forward to welcoming 2023, we wanted to reflect on the progress that has been made this year. We have been busy working towards the new highway and to making the existing SH1 and SH57 safer for those who travel through and within the region and the lower North Island.

Together with Muaūpoko and hapū from Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, our core principles continue to guide our work. We will tread lightly, with the whenua, and create an enduring legacy.

Key milestones in 2022

• In November, we lodged Notice of Requirement and resource consent applications for the new highway and shared user path with Horizons and Greater Wellington Regional Councils, and Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast District Councils. This was an important milestone for the project, and if approved, these applications reflect the environmental approvals required for the project to be built. The Councils will offer the opportunity for you to provide submissions to the applications next year.
• Early safety improvements on SH1 were complete at Kuku. These included removing passing lanes in both directions, widening the road shoulders, painted wider centrelines, and improving the road surface. Construction is due to start on the main package of works, including median barriers and turnarounds, in early 2023.
• The SH57/Queen Street East roundabout was opened to traffic in August. The roundabout reduces speeds at the intersection, making it easier and safer to enter flowing traffic.
• Community input and knowledge has been instrumental in helping to shape the Ōtaki to north of Levin project. In 2022, we held or attended 28 events and community group meetings with more than 750 attendees overall. 
• We spoke to more than 260 people at our new highway drop-in sessions in April/May, with 86 feedback forms recieved and 53 email submissions. 
• In June/July, we talked with more than 80 people during engagement for the SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements.
• Consultation on proposed speed limit changes for SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin was held in June, resulting in the implementation of safer speeds.

Next year, the project will enter the pre-implementation phase, where we begin detailed design of the new highway and shared user path to prepare for construction to begin in 2025.

We wish you and your whānau a safe and happy summer break and look forward to more conversations with you in 2023.

We're looking forward to 2023.

Availability of the Ō2NL project team during the holidays

The Ō2NL team are taking a break over Christmas and New Year’s and the project line and email will not be monitored between 23 December 2022 and 9 January 2023.

If you do have any questions during this time, please email us on O2NL@nzta.govt.nz and we will respond when we are back on deck in 2023. If you’d like to report anything relating to the state highways or get the latest travel information, please call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).

More information

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

• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-proposed-new-highway for information on the new highway, or
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-safe-speeds, to find out more about speed, or
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-safer-roads-and-roadsides to find out more about the work to make our existing roads and roadsides safer.

Our email newsletters will let you know when there is new information 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 programme, contact us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or call 0508 625 4636.