When the Wellington Region moved to Alert Level 3 on 1 September, our construction crew returned to site while following strict COVID-19 protocols. The structures team were back at Bridge 9 (Makahuri Rail Overpass) preparing the site ahead of the last major concrete pour, the civils team resumed ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) installation, drainage works and earthworks south of Ōtaki Gorge Road. Finally, the pavement team re-commenced works on the mainline shoulders with our first shoulder chip-sealing completed. We also fired up the asphalt plant, with the asphalt team laying over 900 tonnes in a day and a maximum of 117 tonnes in one hour! This is a phenomenal result in and of itself, let alone when you consider the context of the environment we’re currently operating in.

The PP2Ō Expressway will be a great addition to the Kāpiti Coast and greater Wellington region - easing congestion points for locals and through-traffic, improving safety, and increasing reliability of journey times.

If you need any further information, please visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o, call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz

Ngā mihi
Chris Hunt, Project Director

Asphalt production

When travelling alongside the PP2Ō Expressway construction site, have you ever wondered where the enormous quantity of asphalt we’re using is being produced?

Asphalt is the smooth black roading material that can be seen on many local roads and is mostly a mix of aggregates and bitumen.

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An Ōtaki College student talks about his involvement with the PP2Ō project.

Ōtaki College media students project

Since the beginning of the PP2Ō project in 2017, the media students at Ōtaki College have been producing high-quality videos with construction updates for the project.

Everyone benefits in this arrangement - the students gain invaluable industry experience, the PP2Ō project gains great content, and the wider community gets valuable local insight into this important project.

Watch the video above to see what the students and people involved in this initiative have to say about the partnership.

Distributing the concrete.

Last concrete pour for Bridge 9

This month we completed the final major concrete pour for Bridge 9 (Makahuri Rail Overpass). Infrastructure Foreman Daniel Hall, who managed the procedure, says it is a major milestone to have completed the last pour on the last bridge. 

“This is a fantastic achievement. I want to thank the Bridge 9 team for their extraordinary efforts in making this possible while working safely during the recent changes in Covid-19 Alert Levels.”

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The old bridge in the process of being demolished.

Old Ōtaki Gorge Road bridge demolition

Bridge demolitions require careful planning so that debris doesn’t escape onto the railway, roads or into waterways near the demolition site. There are also a number of materials and components used in bridge construction that require different demolition methods and techniques. So, before any demolition activities can take place, we need to carefully prepare to ensure everything goes smoothly and safely.

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SH1 diversion near Taylors Road.

Upcoming construction milestones

Final temporary tie-in works for northbound traffic are expected to be completed by the end of September, and during October all SH1 traffic will be directed onto the temporary diversion. Stabilised subbase works will continue up towards the Bridge 1 (Waitohu Bridge) area and asphalt works are programmed to commence in the northern area from early October.

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More information

For more information on the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway, contact us at 0800 7726 4636 or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o