Everyone’s excited for the Expressway to open, and with people able to see it taking shape we know many are wondering why it’ll be next year before they can drive on it. As we will explain further down the newsletter, building a road is a complex, nuanced task, and there’s a lot of work to go. Even after the Expressway opens to traffic, there will still be some finishing works to complete.

The completion of Bridge 9 at Makahuri (formerly Marycrest) has created the final link on the project. It means project traffic will soon be able to drive the length of the Expressway, and it will also remove most of the construction traffic from the already-congested State Highway 1.

Some more immediate good news is we are confident that cyclists, walkers and equestrians will be able to use the shared path between Te Hapua and Te Kowhai by early August. Of course, everything is weather dependant and we do have a small drain to insert, for which we need the weather gods to be on our side. Even so, the pathway is on track to open as scheduled.

While the weather may be a headache for construction work, it’s a huge help for landscaping. You will see our planting teams out on site as the landscaping season gets into full swing, and we expect most of the planting to be completed by the end of the season in September/October.

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

Members of the Smíšek family, the Czech Consul-General, PP2Ō project team, Kāpiti Coast District Council and Mirek Smíšek Arts Trust had a recent opportunity to inspect the kilns.

An emotional visit to the Smíšek kilns

The historic kilns used by acclaimed potter Mirek Smíšekat his Kāpiti property are a well-known local landmark. But it’s not just in Kāpiti where he is famous. Mirek's former homeland, the Czech Republic, is just as interested in his enormous impact and lasting legacy.

Read more >

The Mirek Smíšek Arts Trust vision

The historic Mirik Smíšek kilns are at the centre of a move to establish an arts centre in Ōtaki. The Kilns Trust members talk about their aspirations and about the famous potter who came from the Czech Republic to make his home on the Kāpiti Coast.

Watch the video >

Laying Asphalt near Bridge 9.

Main alignment about to be fully connected

The final beam being placed on Bridge 9, near Makahuri, means the main alignment of the expressway is closer to being fully connected, with the bridge nearing completion.

Read more >

Expressway construction underway at Te Horo.

The jobs ahead

As you drive alongside the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway, you'll have noticed the progress being made up and down the 13km stretch of new state highway. Although it may seem that the four-lane expressway is almost finished, there is still some way to go before completion. To give you an idea of what lies ahead, we’ve put together a summary of the final stages of work.

Read more >

Bridge 1 over the Waitohu Stream.

Bridge 1 artwork continues

If you are heading west on Taylors Road from State Highway 1, you will encounter ‘Ko te Waewae-Kāpiti-o-Tara-rāua-ko-Rangitāne’ or, as it is more commonly known – ‘Kāpiti’. Its image is etched on Bridge 1 over the Waitohu Stream.

Read more >

Cement stabilisation underway at southern end of the project.

Upcoming construction milestones

Pavement works to the northern tie-in are scheduled to begin in late June. They will continue until early/mid-August, at which time state highway traffic will be switched to the already completed temporary road.

Read more >

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