Ōtaki to north of Levin update – 15 November 2022

In recent years Waka Kotahi, in partnership with Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, have undertaken engagement with stakeholders, road users and the community. The local insights you and others have shared have contributed to the shaping of the Ōtaki to north of Levin programme of works, which will significantly improve safety and resilience for those travelling through the Horowhenua District and lower North Island.

Public consultation on speed in the Horowhenua region is now open, as part of a wider network review. You are invited to have your say on these proposals. This week, we are also opening the Levin project office to the public and holding our Ō2NL Community Group meetings.

Speed limit map for Horowhenua. The pink line on SH57 indicates 90km/h is proposed. Click the image to see the full map.

Consultation begins on draft Interim Speed Management Plan - including Horowhenua

Consultation on the Waka Kotahi draft Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP) has opened.

As well as proposals for safe speeds around 269 schools on the network, the plan proposes safe and appropriate speeds for over 400km of state highway across 16 regions including 11 marae, and 16 intersection speed zones (ISZ), new sections of highway and on/off ramps.

This plan, includes a number of areas in Horowhenua.

On State Highway 57 from Heatherlea East Road to Shannon a new speed limit of 90km/h is being proposed, along with the southbound passing lane becoming a slow vehicle lane.

The intersection of SH57 and 56 is also included in ISMP. There is a substantial number of people who turn at this intersection and the area would benefit from an ISZ to reduce the risk or severity of any crash.

As part of this new approach, speeds are proposed to change outside most of the schools, kura kaupapa Māori and kura-a-iwi on state highways - in both urban and rural areas.

Several schools in Horowhenua are included. They are:

• St Mary's School (Foxton)
• Poroutawhao School
• Ōpiki School
• Tokomaru School
• Shannon School

You can learn more about the proposed plans for Horowhenua at the Interim Speed Management Plan webpage.

To have your say on the proposals, please fill out a consultation form.

Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 12 December 2022.

The SH1 Ōtaki to Levin and SH57 Levin to Heatherlea East Road speed reviews are not included in the ISMP. We will provide an update on the implementation of these speed reviews shortly.

Ō2NL Project Office at 171 Oxford Street, Levin

Levin project office open day this week

The Ō2NL project office will be open to the public this week on Thursday 17 November, 11am-5pm. The Ō2NL Project Office is at 171 Oxford Street, Levin.

We’ll have members of the team on hand to answer your questions about the new highway, what it’ll mean for moving around the area, and what it’ll be like to have the new highway in your neighbourhood.

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

Locals learn more about the new highway's alignment at a Ō2NL Community Group Manakau meeting in 2021.

Ō2NL Community Group meetings this week

The Ō2NL Community Group meetings will be held this week. There will be two combined sessions. Join us an update about the Ō2NL project and the region's speed reviews.

• Manakau/Ohau: 6pm-7pm, Wednesday 16 November, Huia Block at Manakau School
• Levin/North of Levin: 6pm-7pm, Thursday 17 November, Ō2NL Project Office (171 Oxford Street)

Thursday's session will be available to join via Zoom. If you would like to dial in remotely,  please email us for the Zoom invitation.

If you are not signed up for these meetings and would like participate, please email us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz.

In our last newsletter, we let you know that Waka Kotahi has lodged, under the Resource Management Act 1991, Notices of Requirement and applications for resource consents with the Councils. The documents relating to these applications are now available to view on our website.

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.