Ōtaki to north of Levin update – January 2024

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and council partner Horowhenua District Council 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.

This month we want to give you an update on the two safety improvement projects currently under construction and invite you to the next Ō2NL project office open day to learn more about the new highway and other projects underway in your area.

The Gleeson Road and Pukehou Rail Overbridge turnarounds are now complete

Ōtaki to Ohau construction update

The Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement project is progressing well. Before the holiday break, contractor Downer installed all sections of median barrier and the majority of side barrier. The Pukehou Rail Overbridge and Gleeson Road turnaround facilities were also completed, with all three turnarounds now open.

In January, construction crews completed the remaining sections of side barrier and were back on site at Waikawa Beach Road and Whakahoro Road working to make these intersections safer. Work at Waikawa Beach Road is almost complete, and crews are currently working to widen the road just south of Manakau Rail Overbridge. This work will allow for a right turn lane into Whakahoro Road and a flush median south of the bridge to be installed.

The new flexible median barriers between Ōtaki and Ohau have already been hit several times over the last few months. Each time the median barrier is hit, a potential serious head-on crash is avoided. The team will be working to fix the median barrier where it has been hit to keep this section of State Highway 1 safe.

You can read more about these safety improvements on our website.

SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements

Construction on the Levin to Foxton safety improvements project is now underway between Foxton and the Manawatū River Bridge

Construction underway on safety improvements for SH1 between Levin and Foxton

Work is now underway on safety improvements that will make State Highway 1 between Levin and Foxton safer for everyone who uses it.

New turning facilities, flexible median barrier, side barrier, and a new roundabout feature as part of the project.

The infrastructure improvements are being constructed in stages, with improvements between Foxton and the Manawatū River Bridge to be completed first.

Construction on all the improvements is expected to be completed by mid-2027. This timeline is dependent on a variety of factors, including land acquisition, consents, weather, and ground conditions.

We know these types of safety improvements are new for the area and have engaged our iwi and hapū partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community to get their feedback and insights. A summary of the feedback we received can be downloaded through the link below.

Engagement summary

For more infomation on the project visit our website.

SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements.

The Ō2NL team presenting to local businesses about future opportunities on the project

Ō2NL project office open day – Thursday 22 February

Please join us at our first project office open day of 2024:

Thursday 22 February from 12noon – 6pm
171 Oxford Street, Levin

We’ll have members of the team on hand to answer your questions about the new highway, walking and cycling path, the new Tararua Road roundabout and the safety improvement projects in your area.

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.

In our last update, we announced the Ō2NL preferred alliances. Over the next few months we will be working to establish a strong collaborative foundation for the project and we look forward to introducing the new teams to the local community around midyear.

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.