Ōtaki to north of Levin update – 17 March 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.

Resealing works on SH57 to start next week.

Kimberley Road between SH1 and Arapaepae Road (SH57) is being resealed over five days starting 20 March 2023. Kimberley Road will be closed at the SH1 end with work happening between 7am and 6pm. Residents will be able to access their homes via Arapaepae Road. SH1 drivers heading to SH57 can detour via Queen Street East. Please see map below.

The resealing work is necessary because higher than usual ground temperatures have caused some defects in the chipseal that was laid last year on Kimberley Road. Roading crews will be laying a second coat reseal with a mix that has more chip and less bitumen, to form a strong bind to the existing pavement.

Please also be aware that work is happening nearby on Tararua Road at the same time. A section of Tararua Road, between Garth Road and Arapaepae Road, is temporarily closed in both directions until approximately Friday 14 April 2023 (weather permitting) as a new wastewater main is being installed across the Tararua Road/SH57 intersection as part of the Tara-Ika future growth project.

The entrance into Tararua Road heading west from SH57 will be closed. The only access to Tararua Road west of SH57 will be via Cambridge Street.  Residents will be able to reach their properties via Meadowvale Drive or Queen Street. For more information on this work please contact Horowhenua District Council.

Thank you for your patience as we work to make SH57 safer for everyone who uses the road.

The blessing was followed by morning tea in Ōtaki with iwi representatives, Kāpiti Coast District Council mayor Janet Holborow, project team members and contractors.

Blessing held on SH1 ahead of safety improvements construction start

A group of more than 20 people stood together at the existing rest area at the bottom of Forest Lakes on the morning of 15 March to bless the land in preparation for construction of safety improvements to start on SH1 between Ōtaki and Ohau.

The group included iwi representatives from Ngāti Raukawa and Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holbrow, elected members, Waka Kotahi staff and WTA and Downer contractors.

The blessing acknowledged the whenua, the people who come from the area and all who use this stretch of State Highway 1.

Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki led the blessing which was followed by a morning tea Raukawa Marae in Ōtaki.

We expect to have an update on the construction start date next week.

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.

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For more information on the Ōtaki to north of Levin programme, contact us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or call 0508 625 4636.