Ōtaki to north of Levin project update – June 2020

We’ve been working steadily in the last month to make sure we’re out in the community as soon as possible to give updates on what’s happening in the corridor.

We now have visible signs of progress towards the new highway with our geotechnical drilling sites throughout the corridor. Meanwhile, we’ve been organising drop-in sessions on the upcoming safety improvements on SH57.

Plans for a proposed new roundabout at the SH57/Queen St intersection.

Seeking your feedback on SH57

As we mentioned in our previous update, we’ve been finalising details before we host information sessions on the planned SH57 safety improvements. These improvements will make the corridor safer in the meantime, while work progresses to deliver the new Ōtaki to north of Levin highway within the next decade.

There have been 19 serious crashes on SH57 between the SH1 intersection and Shannon in the last five years, resulting in six deaths and 21 serious injuries.

We are seeking feedback on plans to build a new roundabout at the SH57/Queen St intersection – this is designed to slow approaching traffic and make it easier for you to choose the right time to enter the intersection.

Other safety improvements are also being planned, included installing side barriers to stretches of the road and widening the centrelines. Community input will help finetune the safety improvement designs. Construction is expected to begin this summer and take approximately 18-24 months to complete.

We’d also like to hear your thoughts on the current speed limits on SH57, between the SH1 intersection and Shannon. This feedback will help us determine if a speed limit change will improve safety.

Come and see us at one of five drop-in sessions:

• Tuesday 21 July, 10.30am-12pm at Speldhurst Country Estate west wing, 100 Speldhurst Parade, Kimberley Rd, Levin.
• Tuesday 21 July, 2.30pm-4pm at Koputaroa Hall, 399 Koputaroa Rd, Koputaroa.
• Wednesday 22 July, 2pm-3.30pm at Shannon Memorial Hall, 8 Grey St, Shannon.
• Wednesday 22 July, 5pm-6.30pm at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath St, Levin.
• Saturday 25 July, 12pm-2pm at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10 Bath St, Levin.

You can also find out more and have your say online at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-SH57-safety-improvements, until 10 August 2020.

If you can’t make our drop-in sessions and would like to discuss the project further, please email O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or phone 0508 625 4636.

What's happening with safety improvements on SH1?

Safety improvements will also be implemented, and speeds considered on SH1 in the area. 

The first phase of these investigations, from Ōtaki to Levin, includes stretches of median barrier and a roundabout at the SH1 / SH57 intersection. These more complex designs are being developed and we’ll be back to talk to the community about the proposals later this year.

Geotechnical drilling site on Waihou Road near Levin.

Transport Minister visits geotechnical site near Levin

In our previous updates, we let you know that we are currently conducting geotechnical testing at about 50 sites within the 300 metre wide preferred corridor. These drilling rigs test ground conditions by drilling boreholes and collecting soil and rock samples and will help the planning and design of the new road.

On Thursday 9 July, the Ōtaki to north of Levin project team alongside our iwi partners Muaūpoko and Ngāti Raukawa and Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden welcomed Transport Minister Phil Twyford to a geotechnical drilling site on Waihou Road.

Minister Twyford was welcomed to the site by iwi, who shared the significance of the road and the whenua in the region. He was then briefed by the project team and shown soil samples from 30m deep.

Minister Twyford acknowledged the new highway will save lives and boost the ecomony over time, particularly by creating a lot of jobs.

Horowhenua Mayor Wanden said it was great to see work happening on the project, acknowledging that for residents it is a long time coming.

The current geotechnical investigations are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Example of an aerial survey marking.

Aerial survey markings

You may have noticed new white arrows on roads within the preferred corridor for the new highway. These have been installed around survey markers (Ground Control Points) being used for the current aerial survey underway in the area.

Forty-seven survey markers have been installed in existing road seal between Ōtaki and north of Levin. The survey marker coordinates will help us match aerial survey data to New Zealand’s formal map system managed by LINZ.

The metal survey markers will remain in place long term and will be used throughout the Ō2NL project. The spray painted arrows are washable paint and will fade away.

What's happening with plans for the new highway?

We appreciate that you’ll be interested to know what’s happening with plans for the new Ōtaki to north of Levin highway. Investigation and design work has been progressing over recent months.

In August, we will be in touch with property owners potentially affected by the project, to provide an update and an opportunity to meet. Following that, we’ll be talking to the community about the new highway.

More information and support

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl to find about our work in the corridor or check out:

• http://www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-SH57-safety-improvements to find out more on the safety improvement plans and submit your feedback,
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-proposed-new-highway for information on the new highway, or
• www.nzta.govt.nz/o2nl-safer-roads-and-roadsides to find out about work to make our existing roads and roadsides safer.

Do you know people who want to know more? They can subscribe here.

For more information on the Ōtaki to north of Levin project, contact us at o2nl@nzta.govt.nz