Ōtaki to north of Levin update – June 2023

Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga are working together 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.

Levin to Foxton safety improvements updated design

Updated design released for State Highway 1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements

Following further engagement with our iwi and hapū partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community, an updated design for the safety improvements on State Highway 1 between Levin and Foxton has been released.

Between 2018 and 2022, there were 122 crashes on this stretch of road which resulted in five people dying and 20 being seriously injured. The combination of a roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barrier and new turnaround facilities will help prevent further crashes resulting in death and serious injury.

The latest information sheet provides an overview of the improvements we will be making, including a map and timeline:

Download the information sheet

The safety improvements will be constructed in stages. Improvements north of the Manawatū River Bridge will be constructed first, followed by improvements south of the bridge (subject to funding approval). Construction is expected to begin later this year.

Community drop-in session

If you have questions about these safety improvements, come and chat with the project team at our community drop-in session.

Sunday 23 July, 1–3pm
Poroutawhao Hall, 800 State Highway 1, Poroutawhao

More information about the project is available on our website: www.nzta.govt.nz/levin-to-foxton

Southern turnaround facility is now open at the bottom of Forest Lakes Hill

Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements update

The safety improvements between Ōtaki and Ohau are underway, with the first phase of work between Ōtaki and Manakau. Three turnaround bays and stretches of median and side barriers will be installed between Ōtaki and Manakau.

The southern turnaround at the bottom of Forest Lakes Hill is now complete, with work progressing on the turnaround south of the Pukehou Rail Overbridge and construction on the Gleeson Road turnaround to begin within the next couple of weeks.

Contractor Downer has also started installing sections of road safety barriers from Taylors Road to Pukehou Rail Overbridge.

Safety first

Road safety barriers provide a second chance, so a person’s mistake doesn’t result in loss of lives or life changing serious injuries. 

Along the roadside, barriers can ‘catch’ your vehicle that has left the road, grabbing you before you hit something harder – like a pole, tree or ditch.

By physically separating you from opposing traffic, median barriers prevent head-on crashes which is how many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads. This means if you lose control or drift across the centreline, you’re going to be protected from significant harm.

As more median barrier is installed across New Zealand, turnaround bays will become more common. Where there are median barriers, you may need to travel a bit further to turn right, or to turn around to access a road or driveway. The turnarounds between Ōtaki and Manakau will provide people driving, including in larger vehicles, a place to turn safely.

Next phase of works

While work is progressing between Ōtaki and Manakau, we are undergoing further design investigations for the next phase of safety improvement works between Manakau and Ohau.

Over the next few weeks, the team will be between Manakau and Ohau surveying areas and investigating existing pavement and ground conditions, with the first area being near Whakahoro Road.

This work will help us plan for the next phase of work, which we will continue to keep you updated on.

More information about the project is available on our website.

Levin project office at 171 Oxford Street, Levin

Ōtaki to north of Levin project office open day – 29 June

The Ōtaki to north of Levin project team is hosting a project office open day this Thursday for those who want to know more about the new highway, walking and cycling path and the state highway safety improvement projects in the area.

Please join the team:

Thursday 29 June, 12noon – 6pm
171 Oxford Street, Levin

Our events give us a chance to meet with you face-to-face to answer any questions you may. If you have questions between events, you can email us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or phone 0508 625 4636.

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.