Ōtaki to north of Levin update – September 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.

State Highway 1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements project is progressing to the next phase and we will soon start work from Manakau to Ohau. If you have any questions about the new highway or safety improvement projects in your area, come along to our next project office open day on 5 October. The project team will also be at this year's Future Pathways expo on 12 October, to chat with local rangatahi about what kind of career opportunities infrastructure projects like the new highway project could offer.

Next phase of safety improvements between Manakau and Ohau to begin next week

Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements construction update

The first phase of safety improvement work between Ōtaki and Manakau is well underway. While this work continues to progress, we will soon begin construction on the next phase of the project, from Manakau to Ohau.

This section of work includes stretches of median and side barriers and painted wide centrelines. We will also be working to make the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and State Highway 1 safer. This work is expected to be complete this summer.

From next week, Contractor Downer will be on site, north of Tatum Park to install the first section of side barriers. Road safety barriers give you 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.

Our safety improvements are underpinned by the Safe System approach, recognising that people make mistakes, but these mistakes do not need to cost us our lives.

Now that Transmission Gully and the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway are complete, drivers travel from Wellington to north of Ōtaki on dual-lane, median separated highways. These safety improvements are designed to transition drivers from this environment through to the single lane State Highway 1, by stepping them through single-lane median separated road, then stretches of wide centrelines.

The map above shows the planned works for safety improvements from Manakau to Ohau.

You can read more about these safety improvements on our website: www.nzta.govt.nz/SH1-Otaki-to-Ohau

Join the team at our next project office open day on Thursday 5 October

Ō2NL project office open day - Thursday 5 October

Our next Ōtaki to north of Levin project office open day is on Thursday 5 October from 12noon – 6pm.

Please join us at 171 Oxford Street, Levin to speak with the team about the new highway, walking and cycling path and the state highway safety improvement projects in your area.

Our events give us a chance to meet with you in person and answer any questions you may have. If you’d like to chat with the team between events, you can email us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or phone 0508 625 4636.

Join the Ō2NL team at this year's Future Pathways Expo

Ō2NL project at the Future Pathways Expo

Come along and learn about careers in infrastructure at the Future Pathways Expo on Thursday 12 October from 10am - 2.30pm at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, the Levin community centre and library.

The expo, which has been organised by the Horowhenua District Council, Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, Ministry of Social Development and community partners, will connect rangatahi with employers, training providers and social services to help them plan their futures. The Ō2NL project team will join more than 40 local and national employers and training providers.

Infrastructure projects like the Ōtaki to North of Levin highway require all sorts of different people, with different skills, to get the job done. People working in a variety of careers including in construction, project management, engineering, ecology, planning, communications, and law will all have an important role to play. Many of these careers allow you to learn on the job.

Come and have a chat with the project team about what kind of careers are part of infrastructure projects like Ōtaki to north of Levin.

Be kind to roadworkers

As we enter the next maintenance season, and work is progressing on safety improvement projects in the area, we’ll see more construction crews on the road.

Roadworks can cause delays, and it’s understandable that drivers may become frustrated. It’s important to remember that road workers are doing their job to help make the roads safe for everyone.

Roadworks can also be a dangerous environment, especially for workers who are operating heavy machinery or working alongside fast-moving traffic.

By being patient and understanding, drivers can help create a safer environment for everyone. And showing respect and consideration is simply the right thing to do.

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.

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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.