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Express CONNECT
March 2021

 

Kia ora

The first quarter of 2021 is nearly behind us and, despite a COVID-19 scare in Auckland, we have come through the start of the year relatively unscathed. In fact, we’ve been making really good progress on the PP2Ō Expressway project this summer. We’ve started laying asphalt in the section of expressway just north of Te Horo Bridge (Bridge 8) and we are slightly ahead of schedule for the new Ōtaki Gorge Road / State Highway 1 (SH1) intersection. Let’s hope the rain holds off for as long as possible so that the excellent progress can continue.

Chris Hunt

Work on Bridges 9 and 10 is progressing well, and every day I drive past it, I can see the footprint of the expressway becoming clearer. We started laying asphalt north of Makahuri (formerly Marycrest) at the beginning of March, with all the asphalt being delivered from our mobile plant in Ōtaki. Within the first three days we’d laid 1200 tonnes of asphalt and by day five we’d achieved our daily target of 800 tonnes, which is impressive going. By the time the expressway is complete we will have laid more than 100,000 tonnes of asphalt.

Over the next couple of months, you will see our landscaping team in full swing as they make the most of the planting season. Last season’s plantings have shown good growth, and the recently relocated Phoenix palm at the Ōtaki River Bridge seems content in its new home.

I acknowledge the disruption that a major project like PP2Ō creates on peoples’ lives day to day. Please rest assured that we always listen to your feedback and do everything we possibly can to mitigate any inconvenience. It’s great when we get positive feedback, so I really appreciate the supportive comments we’ve been receiving from the community recently. On behalf of the entire team working on this exciting project – thank you.

Stay safe, until next time.

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

 

Vehicles travelling across bridge spanning new expressway under construction

Looking north along the new Ōtaki Gorge Road / SH1 intersection.

 

Ōtaki Gorge Road and detour

There is excellent progress being made on the new Ōtaki Gorge Road / SH1 intersection, with the project coming in ahead of schedule after week one. Hopefully the weather continues to play ball and doesn’t cause any major disruptions so we can continue to make good progress.

Read more >

 

Night works with crane lifting concrete barrier beams onto side of road.

Watch the team hard at work.

 

Preparing for a traffic switch

It’s not an easy job preparing to switch traffic onto a new section of road, especially if you want the move to go seamlessly and safely. When it came time to close Ōtaki Gorge Road and open the new Te Horo Beach Road overbridge (Bridge 8), our Traffic Management Team got to work.

Read more >

 

Group of people standing on new expressway in front of orange road barriers.

PP2Ō project Kaiarahi, Rawiri Rikihana explains the significance of the karakia.

 

Bridge 8 at Te Horo Beach Road blessed and in operation

Before the bridge opened to traffic, whanau beneficiaries of Te Puti-Winiata Whanau Trust, the previous owners of the land that Bridge 8 has been constructed on, placed a whakātea karakia (blessing) on the bridge and School Road extension.  They were accompanied by the project team and members of Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki.

Read more >

 

Culvert on right with holes visible

The 11-barrel culvert beside Bridge 1 over the Waitohu Stream.

 

Upcoming construction milestones

Construction of a temporary 500-metre section of SH1 has begun to the east of the expressway alignment. This will be completed and opened to traffic in the second half of May, and the new section of Taylors Road is also scheduled to open for local traffic.

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