SH1 Peka Peka to Ōtaki corridor improvements

Connecting communities

1 November 2024

An artist’s impression of upcoming work at Te Horo Beach Road.

PP2Ō corridor improvements starting soon

With the Peka Peka to Ōtaki section of Kāpiti Expressway open, old State Highway 1 is no longer required to function as a state highway and will officially become a local road. Responsibility for ownership, maintenance and any future upgrades of the road will be transferred from NZTA Waka Kotahi to Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Before this happens, we’re making improvements to old State Highway 1 – from Makahuri/Marycrest in Te Horo to Taylors Road just north of Ōtaki – to make sure it meets the needs of a local road.

This year we’re starting the first stage of construction – from Makahuri to south of Ōtaki River Bridge. The work in this section will include drainage upgrades, footpath and kerbing construction, pavement resurfacing, and landscaping, as well as other improvements. This stage of work is expected to continue through to mid-2025. Once the program of works has been finalised, we’ll provide more information to the public. Most construction in this section will have minimal impact on residents, businesses, and road users, but we’ll keep you well informed throughout the project.

For more information about the project, and to sign up to our newsletter – visit nzta.govt.nz/pp2o-revocation.

New speed limit for old SH1

In our last newsletter we let you know about new speed limits approved under the 2022 Setting of Speed Limits Rule, for the Peka Peka to Ōtaki section of Old SH1.

Since then the new 2024 Speed Rule was announced. The sections previously announced between Waerenga Road and Ōtaki Gorge Road will now no longer be changed.

Under the new rule, the only section that will have a new speed limit is the section between Ōtaki Gorge Road to Te Horo, through to Te Kowhai Road. The previous speed limit in this section was 100km/h but from 25 October 2024, this was changed to 80km/h.

Clip-on bridge construction progressing well

Installation of the shared path clip-on across Ōtaki River Bridge is progressing well. The team reached a milestone in October with all fourteen steel trusses (shown above) now in place. The brackets, which will eventually support the bridge deck, are also in the process of being installed.

Despite contending with several weather events early in the project – which saw high waters in the river, the installation is on schedule. We’re expecting to complete work on the shared path abutments by early December. From that point until the Christmas closedown period work will remain stop/go during hours of construction, but both lanes will be opened to traffic outside these hours.

Over the Christmas shutdown period, both lanes will be open.

Ōtaki bridge traffic management and lights

Last month we made some changes to the waiting times at the bridge. Previously, outside of regular hours of construction, the traffic management was set to a 90-second timer. We’ve now reduced the waiting time to 45 seconds.

We’ve also installed cameras at the site so we can better monitor traffic behaviour. While most road users are following the traffic management in place, we have encountered some incidents of road users running red lights. Please be considerate of others and follow the traffic management rules.

Other projects underway

While we're working on the shared path across Ōtaki Bridge, please be mindful of other projects underway in the area. Kāpiti Coast District Council are currently upgrading wastewater pipes along Riverbank Road, Aotaki Street, and Mill Road to increase the capacity and resilience of the Ōtaki wastewater system.

Ōtaki shared path clip-on schedule of works

12 August to early December:
Construction of foundations on site and stop/go traffic management 24/7.

December to Christmas closedown:
Installation of shared path steel sub-structure and stop/go traffic during daytime working hours. Both lanes open to traffic (with traffic lights off) outside these hours.

Christmas closedown period:
Normal traffic flow and both lanes open.

January to February 2024:
Installation of shared path structure on the Ōtaki River Bridge on site and stop/go traffic during daytime working hours. Both lanes open to traffic (with traffic lights off) outside these hours.

February to April/May 2024:
Finishing works on the wider shared path project through Ōtaki on site and no lane closures, normal traffic flow.

More information

Peka Peka to Ōtaki corridor impovements

For more information about the project, and to sign up to our newsletter – visit nzta.govt.nz/pp2o-revocation.

Ōtaki shared path clip-on bridge

If you have any questions or concerns during the construction period, contractor Downer can be contacted on 022 505 7152 or via manawatuenquiries@downer.co.nz

Otherwise, please visit nzta.govt.nz/otaki-shared-path