Express CONNECT

27 April 2023

Just before Easter we re-opened the section of old State Highway between Te Hapua Road and Te Horo. Please be aware there are still works to complete along this stretch of road (including final sealing, sweeping and line marking), so temporary traffic measures will remain in place until the works are completed towards the end of May.

There has been keen interest in the opening of the shared path - an integral part of the project - which is scheduled to open in early May. More in our story on this below.

With the physical works wrapping up, so too will these newsletters with the final issue to go out at the end of May. Although our works will be completed soon, you may see some of our team out and about over the next few years as we continue to inspect and maintain a number of locations such as landscaped areas and wetlands. We’ll also continue to hold community liaison meetings for the rest of 2023 which will provide a useful forum for representatives of key community groups to ask questions and provide feedback. 

For further information on the project please visit our information centre (which has updated photos and brochures), check out our website www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o, call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz

Ngā mihi
Steve Findlay, Project Director

Shared path opening soon

As mentioned in last month’s issue, a key step towards completing the shared path was to install a safe crossing point – including traffic lights – for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians near Makahuri (formerly known as Marycrest).

This work was completed recently and we’re currently tracking towards finishing the final sections of shared path at Te Kowhai Road and south of the Ōtaki River early in May.  Shortly after this, the shared path will be opened for public use.

Check out the visual showing the route of the shared path, as well as connection points to and from local roads, on this webpage:

PP2O shared path

Shared path extension

Separate to the PP2Ō Expressway project, works to extend the new shared path from where it currently ends on the south side of Ōtaki River will commence in mid-May.

The shared path will be extended over the river, through Ōtaki township and up to Taylors Road. Works will include the attachment of structures onto the east side of old Ōtaki River and Waitohu Stream bridges, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to cross over those waterways.

This project is scheduled to commence on Monday 15 May, beginning with works on the abutments at each end of old Ōtaki River bridge which won't affect road users. However, from August, there'll be a lane closure with temporary traffic management in place so works to enable the structure to be attached to the bridge can be carried out. These are expected to take place over several months.

Works on the pathway for the Waitohu Stream bridge will take place further down the track. They'll also involve a lane closure with temporary traffic management, affecting people living north of Waitohu Road on old SH1 leading to and from Taylors Road. These works will take place over a shorter period than the Ōtaki River bridge works.

We expect the extended pathway to be ready for people to use in early 2024.

Upcoming construction milestones: North of Ōtaki River

• Sealing of the northern driveways east of the expressway near Taylors Road and completion of final landscaping is near completion.
• The Pare-o-Matangi Reserve is planned to be handed over to the Kāpiti Coast District Council in May.
• The installation of timber fences and crossing islands, as well as line marking, have commenced around Ōtaki Main Road North and Rahui Road. These works are expected to take 4-5 weeks to complete.

South of Ōtaki River

• The removal of the existing buildings at Bridge Lodge (immediately south of Ōtaki River) and relocation of Clifden Cottage to this location will take place in late May. 
• The old section of SH1 between Te Kowhai Road and Te Horo is open again with new traffic lights operating at the shared path crossing point.
• Final sealing and line marking of the section of old State Highway 1 between Te Kowhai Road and Makahuri (formerly known as Marycrest) will be finished by the end of May.

Community meeting

Our next Community Liaison Group meeting is on Monday 12 June, 7pm, at Ōtaki College (members only).

Information Centre remains open through to 2024

The information centre is located at 216 Main Highway, Ōtaki (open 9-5pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 10am-4pm). 

The centre has brochures available - these include a map of the whole expressway. The map can also be viewed/downloaded as a larger image here: PP2Ō Expressway map.

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