Express CONNECT

30 September 2022

As part of this walkover, the group observed the progress that’s been made since they were last on the site and were shown the location of the new Ōtaki Bridge marker (more information on this spectacular landmark is further down).

Thanks to the Community Liaison Group members who are great advocates for the community and invest their time in taking an interest in this project to deliver better community outcomes where possible.

While this month has seen more of the asphalting completed, we’ve commenced further works to support the expressway’s integration into existing infrastructure and the surrounding environment, such as where the new expressway ties into the existing SH1 and the commencement of the redevelopment of the Pare-o-Matangi Reserve.

Nightworks continued this month and thanks again to our residents for continuing to be patient. Our crews are always mindful of the disruption it causes and aim to minimise this where possible.

September was also Māori language week and Fletcher raised awareness of this national initiative by labelling some commonly-used items around our site offices in Te Reo to show support.

For further information on the project please visit our information centre (which has updated photos and brochures), 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

Bridge marker - spectacular landmark and cultural tribute

A new ‘bridge marker’ sculpture will be placed at the northern end of the Ōtaki River Bridge, as a tribute to the importance of the river to local people.

Nga Hapu o Ōtaki has gifted the name Āpiti to the marker, as the river is a site of cultural significance for the iwi. The name represents the unbroken line or connection that the bridge provides to people on their journey through the area.

Featuring a unique design created by Pirihira Tukapua, the narrative behind the design describes that according to legend, Ōtaki River was named by Haunui-a-Nanaia (Hau) who was the great grandson of Kupe. Travelling from Whanganui to Pukerua to find his stolen wife, Hau gave names to all the rivers he crossed on his journey with Ōtaki River named after his tokotoko (staff). The bridge marker is a contemporary representation of the naming of this river and is an integral part of the river bridge design.

Made by local engineering firm Riverbank Engineering, Āpiti features a main body made from black steel with a white acrylic tip that will be lit up creating a striking black and white contrast.

The white acrylic tip is being made by local students at Ōtaki College and will be an enduring example of the students ‘real world’ work that will be enjoyed by thousands of road users in the years to come!

Night works continue to progress quickly

Night works have commenced at the northern end of the project where the new southbound off ramp ties into the top of County Road and the expressway meets the existing State Highway One (SH1). This involves the laying of sub-base material and 'deep-lift' asphalt on top of that. While there’s some disruption to nearby residents, we’re mindful of the noise and vibration impacts this has and are doing everything we can to complete these works as quickly as possible.

The north end of the current SH1 will be under a stop/go traffic management system at times over the coming weeks, between 7pm and approximately 5am (timing will depend on the specific works each night), so these works can be carried out.

If you have any questions about these works, please feel free to contact us on 0800 7726 4636 or pp2o@nzta.govt.nz

Kilns visit by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

This month the historic Smišek Kilns were visited by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as part of their proposal to include the site on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero, which identifies New Zealand's significant and valued historical and cultural heritage places. 

Francesca Bradley (Conservation Advisor) and Miranda Williamson (Heritage Assessment Advisor) from the organisation were impressed with the work of the Fletcher team to relocate the kilns brick by brick to their current site. With some background provided by Suzi White of the Mirek Smišek Kilns Trust, Francesca and Miranda got the chance to hear about the local pottery community and the importance of keeping the unique art form going.

Along the way, Fletcher staff member Eliza Graham found an old horseshoe – likely to be from the Winiata Farm nearby.  It will be placed in the time capsule, being created for the project, to recognise the new Winiata Link Road which will provide visitor access to the ‘new’ kilns. The new road runs through the former Winiata Farm land.

View more about the history of the kilns in this video.

Bridge walkover provides a unique view for community group

Earlier this month, the Ōtaki Community Liaison Group finally got to see the progress made on site at the Ōtaki River Bridge after a few postponements due to bad weather. The last time the group were able to make the trip was over two years ago.

“We’ve been privileged to have such significant involvement in the project along the way and our members certainly appreciate the ability to feed into achieving better project outcomes for the community,” Chairman of the Community Liaison Group, Max Lutz, says. 

“In the early stages of the project, we had lots of input into the decision making and have seen some great outcomes as a result. Now, as the project nears completion, our involvement has become more about being across the progress being made and seeing the initiatives resulting from our community feedback come to fruition. That’s why opportunities like the bridge walkover become so important and exciting.”

The new bridge will be a great asset for the community, providing a safer passage for road users and and better views of the river and the surrounding area.

Free expressway maps

If you're keen to see the route of the expressway and where the on/off ramps are located, pick up a brochure – which contains a map – from our information centre. 

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

View/download larger map

Community meetings

We continue to host our community group meetings twice a month. 

Our next meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Community Liaison Group – 7pm, Monday 10 October, Ōtaki College (members only).
• Northern Neighbourhood Group – 7pm, Monday 17 October, Waitohu School.
• Southern Neighbourhood Group – 7pm, Tuesday 18 October, Te Horo School.

Upcoming construction milestones

NORTHERN AREA

• Northern tie-in to the existing SH1 works to be carried out between September and November.
• All wire rope barriers along the shoulders to be completed by the end of October 2022.
• Local road works on Ōtaki Main North Road (SH1) to be undertaken intermittently through to November.

CENTRAL AREA

• Winiata Link Road pavement to be completed by late October 2022/early November 2022
• Asphalt surfacing of bridges is to commence in early October 2022.

SOUTHERN AREA

• Asphalt surfacing of bridges commenced late September 2022.
• The top/final layer of the road surface (EMOGPA) commenced late September 2022.
• Wire rope barriers along the shoulders completed.

Staff support prostate cancer awareness

Once a month we get together early in the morning for Health and Safety training which also covers wellness initiatives.

This month the event raised awareness of, and funds for, prostate cancer. At the meeting, one of the project staff members bravely shared his story about his journey with the disease and urged people to exercise and have a good diet. He explained his journey from diagnosis to managing the condition, as well as how he has improved his health.

The team were grateful for his inspirational story.

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