Ōtaki to north of Levin update – May 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.

The southern turnaround is expected to open at the end of the month.

SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvements update

Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement work is underway, with the first phase of work between Ōtaki and Manakau. Three turnaround bays and stretches of median and side barriers will be installed between Ōtaki and Manakau. This is expected to be complete next summer.

These safety improvements are designed to transition drivers safely from the dual-lane, median separated highways from Wellington to north of Ōtaki, to the single-lane State Highway 1.

The southern-most turnaround, at the existing rest area south of the Forest Lakes hill is almost complete and expected to open at the end of the month.

Construction of the second turnaround south of Pukehou Rail Overbridge started in April, and is expected to take about six weeks, subject to weather. While this work is underway, a temporary road layout is in place which shifts both lanes to the east to ensure traffic can continue to flow and minimise any delay with a 50km/h speed limit for the duration of the work.

Work on the third turnaround, at Gleeson Road, is expected to begin in June.

Additional stretches of side barriers have been included in the design of the southern section, to ensure the road is safe and appropriate for the 100km/h speed limit in this area. If you are in a crash, side barriers keep you from hitting more significant hazards like poles, trees or drainage ditches.

The turning lanes into Forest Lakes Road and South Manakau Road will remain as they are to ensure safe turning in and out of these roads. A new right turn bay will also be implemented at Atkins Road.

See the map below for planned works for the first phase of work, between Ōtaki and Manakau.

Ō2NL new highway and shared user path update

This week Transport Minister Michael Wood has confirmed the Government commitment to delivering the Ōtaki to north of Levin project, with $1.5 billion of funding committed.

In the last five years 72 people have been killed or seriously injured in crashes along the existing SH1 and SH57 in the region, making it one of the country’s most dangerous sections of road to drive. The new 24-kilometre four-lane highway will dramatically improve safety, enhance resilience, and support population growth and economic prosperity in Horowhenua.

After lodging our Notices of Requirement and resource consent applications late last year, we’re continuing to work with the district and regional Councils and responding to submitters. We expect the Environment Court Hearing to take place later in the year.

Construction of the new highway and walking and cycling path is expected to start in 2025, and to be completed in 2029.

Ō2NL Project Office at 171 Oxford Street, Levin

Levin project office open day – 1 June

The Ōtaki to north of Levin project team is hosting an open day at our project office, 171 Oxford Street, Levin on Thursday 1 June from 12noon – 6pm.

Please join us to speak with members of the team, who will be available to answer your questions about the new highway, shared user path and the state highway safety improvement projects.

Following the 1 June event, we will next host an open day at the project office on Thursday 29 June.

If you have any questions between events, you can email us at O2NL@nzta.govt.nz or phone 0508 625 4636.

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.

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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.