Express CONNECT

1 November 2022

For most people travelling along the current SH1, both ends of the project look tantalisingly close to being finished. However, we still have a considerable amount of EMOGPA (the top layer of asphalt) to apply and wire rope barrier to install from Marycrest through to the Waitohu Stream bridge.

While completing the road is our priority, the 10-kilometre shared path is also coming along well. It looks mostly finished and tempting to use, but please respect any safety barriers along this path. They are there to keep the site and community safe. Once finished, I know this walkway will enable pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to feel more connected and encourage these active modes of transport.

One of this project’s untold stories is the work we’re doing to enhance the local environment near the expressway. The redevelopment of the Pare-o-Matangi Reserve is one of those ‘projects within a project’ where we’re planting, landscaping and creating a new environment for the community to enjoy. There’s more on this further down.

I hope you’re enjoying the better weather as we are - long may it continue.

For further information on the project please visit our information centre (which has updated photos and brochures), check out 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

Gateway sculptures near completion

Two gateway sculptures, to be installed at both ends of the expressway highlighting the entrance points to Ōtaki and welcoming visitors to the township, are well on their way to being completed.

The sculptures consist of three strands, representing significant waterways – the Waitohu, Mangapouri and the great Ōtaki River – winding together to meet in a circle at the top. Stainless steel discs with cultural writings and pictures etched on them will be embedded in the concrete foundations underneath the sculptures.

The sculpture at the northern end will be located near the Ōtaki Main Road underpass by the northbound expressway on-ramp, while the sculpture at the southern end will stand on Old Hautere Road. Both will be visible to motorists.

Standing six-metres high, three-metres wide and weighing about four tonnes each, it’s no mean feat to create and install the sculptures.

“The biggest challenge is building the structures at the precast yard because they’re a unique curved shape,” Jason Blanchard, Fletcher Building Project Engineer, says.

“As each strand making up the sculptures is identical, they’re created in a single mould and – when made – we’ll transport them on a truck to their locations using a special frame to protect them.  Once erected by crane, temporary steel structures will hold the sculptures in place until their foundations are complete.”

The sculptures will have beautifully landscaped and planted areas surrounding them, with bench seats and pathways so members of the public can get up close.  A time capsule – containing artefacts donated by the community that represent the history of the project, as well as the history and culture of the area – is also being placed under one of the bench seats next to the sculpture at the southern end. At night the sculptures will be lit up with colourful lights, so will be able to be seen from another perspective with shadow and light at play.

We look forward to the sculptures being unveiled in December.

Students complete tip of bridge marker

The Ōtaki River Bridge marker, which will be installed at the northern end of the bridge, recently had its tip completed by Ōtaki College students and will now be attached to the main structure built by local firm Riverbank Engineering.

Approximately 70 centimetres high, the white acrylic tip reflects the snowy tops of the Tararua Ranges which can be seen from the bridge. It will be up-lit at night with lighting that can change colour, providing a fitting identity marker and tribute to the history of Ōtaki and the significance of the bridge.

In the photo, Ōtaki College student Regan Crighton – who helped make the structure – shows the tip encased in a protective tape to prevent it being scratched.

Marking of first PP2Ō road lines

At the southern end of the expressway, near the Peka Peka on and off ramps, you may notice the expressway’s first road lines have been marked!

Getting the right lines in the right place to complete the road is really important as part of enabling safe driving. The centre line consists of three metres of raised reflective markers (cats’ eyes), followed by a seven-metre gap, repeated the length of the expressway.

For the road shoulders, the lines are painted first. Then a special thermoplastic compound in dot formation is placed over the top which causes a juddering effect when driven over to warn drivers if they’re veering off the road.

It’s been an exciting phase for the project team to commence this last stage of works.

Motorists to slow down approaching Te Horo

Please remember, if you’re travelling through the Te Horo Beach Road/State Highway 1 intersection or over Te Horo Bridge, these areas have a temporarily reduced speed limit of 50km/h.

Help keep our community safe by slowing down and adhering to the speed limit signs!

Temporary closure - Peka Peka southbound offramp

The southbound offramp at Peka Peka, which connects the existing State Highway 1 to Waikanae, will close for two days in mid-November. This is to enable works to join the new expressway to the current state highway (which will become a local road once the expressway opens) to be carried out. Vehicles heading south to Waikanae will need to use the interchange at Te Moana Road on those days.

The closure is planned for Tuesday 15 November (day and night), reopening late afternoon Wednesday 16 November. However, these dates may change at short notice due to weather or other factors affecting the work. The closure is part of expressway joining works scheduled for Friday 11 November to Thursday 17 November.

Thank you for your patience during this temporary closure which is vital for completing the expressway. For further information, please contact customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz.

Updated expressway map now available

If you're keen to see the route of the expressway and where the on/off ramps are located, pick up a brochure – which contains a map – from our information centre.

The information centre is located at 216 Main Highway Ōtaki and is open 9-5pm Monday – Friday, Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

The map has recently been updated and can be viewed/downloaded as a larger image here:

PP2Ō Expressway map

Community meetings

We continue to host our community group meetings bi-monthly with good attendance.

Our next meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Community Liaison Group – 7pm, Monday 5 December, Ōtaki College (members only).
• Northern Neighbourhood Group – 7pm, Monday 12 December, Waitohu School.
• Southern Neighbourhood Group – 7pm, Tuesday 13 December, Te Horo School.

Pare-o-Matangi Reserve gets a makeover

The Pare-o-Matangi Reserve located at the rear of Ōtaki Motel on Main Road is undergoing a makeover which will offer recreational spaces for the community to enjoy.

Active recreation spaces will be located on the south side of the Mangapouri stream. On the north side of the stream, there will be open lawn spaces and planted areas for relaxing in.

New carparking will also be provided, as well as pedestrian and cycleways to enable active ways to get around. Progress on the redevelopment works is going well and this reinvigorated reserve will be a well-loved asset for the community to enjoy in the years to come, once completed.

Time capsule artefacts now collected!

Thanks to our business and public community for contributing items for the time capsule.

We’re now making the actual capsule and look forward to laying it in the ground under the seated area by the new gateway sculpture at the southern end of the expressway.

Upcoming construction milestones - northern area

• Northern tie-in (to existing SH1) works are continuing through November.
• All wire rope barriers along the shoulders to be completed by the end of November.
• Local road works on Ōtaki Main North Road (SH1) to be undertaken intermittently through November.

Central area

• Winiata Link Road paving to be completed by late November/early December.
• Application of the final layer of the road surface (EMOGPA) has commenced and will continue through November.

Southern area

• Road marking and wire rope barrier tensioning to progress through November.
• Southern tie-in (with M2PP) asphalt and barrier works to progress through November and December.

PP2Ō project team’s monthly get-together

Once a month we get together early in the morning for a project update focusing on Health & Safety, Quality and the Environment, as well as the chance to recognise the contribution of individuals and teams in delivering the project.

This month there was a clear message that looking out for each other and going the extra mile to help build trust makes our work and site safe for everyone.

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