May 2017
Who is involved in the Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) project?
The NZ Transport Agency is working closely with local Councils to create a transport system that better meets the needs of local communities, stimulates growth and development in the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast Districts and contributes to inter-regional and national economic growth.
Why are we doing this project?
The project will promote economic growth in the Kāpiti Coast/Horowhenua Districts, and journeys will be faster and safer. We have identified the following safety issues with the current state highways, namely:
- they do not meet current safety requirements/standards;
- they are straddled by townships/towns;
- they include narrow curved bridges; and
- there are a large number of conflict points i.e. side roads and access points.
The current state highway is categorised as a National State highway. However it does not accord with the function expected of a National State highway. This will be further exacerbated once expressways further south are open (Mackays to Peka Peka, which opened February 2017; and Peka Peka to Ōtaki, which is expected to open to traffic in 2020).
What are the desired outcomes / objectives of the project?
The Ō2NL section of the Wellington Northern Corridor aims to provide a modern and safe state highway network that can accommodate future traffic volumes and enhance inter-regional and national economic growth and productivity.
Scope
What is the extent of the project?
The Ō2NL project will start at Taylors Road, to tie in to the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway which is due to start construction in July 2017. The northernmost extent of the Ō2NL project is immediately south of Manawatū River at State Highway 1.
Is there a preferred alignment or option?
No. As part of the approach to improving State Highway 1, in 2015 the Transport Agency identified a preference for option 5A, a new connecting road, between State Highway 1 north of Manakau and State Highway 57 at Arapaepae Road. While elements of option 5A could form part of a preferred alignment or option for the project, no decision has been made on the overall alignment for the project . We require public feedback about the project to help us understand the full range and nature of environmental effects and community issues, and inform our decision on a preferred alignment.
Will there be a bypass of Levin?
Our technical work has indicated that a four lane expressway from Taylors Road to north of Levin in the general vicinity of Koputaroa is desirable as it provides better safety outcomes, ties in with the expressway to the south and enables Levin to grow and improve the town centre. This would require a bypass around Levin. However before we make a decision on this, we need to hear the community’s views.
Will the project include new interchanges?
Yes, new interchanges will be required as part of the Ō2NL project. – We require the public's input to determine how these can be provided to best suit the local community.
Does the project include walking and cycling facilities?
Yes. We will require your input to help us develop where these go and what they look like.
What’s happening with the Waitārere BeachWaitarere Beach Road Curves project?
Based on community feedback and to align with the overall Ō2NL project, the Transport Agency has decided to delay the consenting and land purchase for the Waitārere BeachWaitarere Beach Road Curves Realignment project to ensure that the outcome meets stakeholder/community expectations, addresses the specific safety concerns, and is aligned with the wider Ō2NL project.
We will commit to discussing/co-designing with the community any ‘interim’ safety improvement options which can be completed online between now and a decision being made on the long term solution/s.
Consultation
Why haven’t I heard anything for the past two years? What has the Transport Agency been doing during this time?
After we identified a preference for option 5A, we received feedback from the local community and stakeholders around the impacts and implications of this option. We have spent time doing some more work on what these issues are, what they mean for the community, and whether there are other and better ways to achieve a roading connection in this area.
At the same time we have been working with Horowhenua District Council (HDC) on exploring what the impacts of higher than anticipated growth and traffic volumes in the area might mean. In order to strategically plan and deliver the best outcomes for local residents, businesses, road users and connecting areas we are now relooking at long term solution(s) for the section of State Highway 1 from Taylors Road (to connect to the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway), north as far as the Manawatū River.
We understand that our current project scope is different to what we have previously advised. We apologise for any confusion and uncertainty that this project and its timeline has caused the community, in particular property owners. Our commitment moving forward is to work closely with the community and other key stakeholders so that you can clearly understand what we are doing, how you can influence the project, and how your views will be taken into consideration when we make decisions about the project.
What has happened to the feedback from the previous consultation?
In earlier consultations you have told us about the urgent need for safety improvements to State Highway 1 (between Ōtaki and Levin). This stretch of State Highway 1 has frequent crashes resulting in high instances of deaths and serious injuries, and pinch points that slow or gridlock traffic. In years to come these issues will become worse with the growing number of vehicles on State Highway 1.
To respond to these urgent needs, improvements have been made including safety improvements at Manakau and Ōhau, which have slowed traffic and maintained the village character of these places on State Highway 1. Further safety improvements are proposed as part of this project that will further reduce the risk of deaths and serious injuries in the time period before Ō2NL can be built.
What’s changed since last time?
We are now looking at options for a road from Taylors Road to north of Levin all the way up to just south of the Manawatū River.
Our technical work has indicated that a four lane expressway from Taylors Road to north of Levin in the general vicinity of Koputaroa Road is desirable as it provides better safety outcomes, ties in with the expressway to the south and enables Levin to grow and improve the town centre. Before we make a decision on whether this should be an expressway, we need to hear the community’s views on this.
No decision has been made of the long-term form of the section between the general vicinity of Koputaroa Road and Manawatū River. Options could include continuing to update the existing State Highway 1, or a separate expressway. We require community input on this moving forward.
My property was previously identified as needed for the project. Is this still the case?
As outlined above, we confirm that Option 5A is no longer our preferred option. We currently have not identified a preferred alignment or route option and we will require community input to develop this, and will be going out to talk to the community in the upcoming months. Therefore at this stage we cannot advise what or how particular pieces of land could be affected. We realise this creates uncertainty for property owners and apologise for this. Moving forward we will contact all previously identified property owners to ensure they are kept up to date with our plans and to reiterate that they have the opportunity to work with us as we determine the project alignment and options.
Why are you doing more consultation?
As the scope of Ō2NL is relooking at long term solutions, we want to work with the community to make sure we develop the best option for the entire route from Taylors Road to Manawatū River. We need to check back that what you’ve previously told us is still relevant, what’s changed since then and how Ō2NL can support community aspirations for Levin and beyond.
Once we have gathered this information we will use it, along with our technical work, to develop one or more alignment options. We plan to come back to you later in 2017 to show you the results of this work, and seek further feedback on what you think. This will then form the basis of a recommended option we will take to the Transport Agency Board for endorsement in early 2018.
How can I have my say?
There will be two rounds of consultation. Firstly, various community events will be organised from June 2017 onwards where you will be able to have your say. Our website www.nzta.govt.nz/Ō2NL will also have options for you to give your thoughts and feedback or you can send us a written submission. Following this, we’ll use your feedback alongside technical information to come back to talk to the community again later in 2017.
When will I know if my property is affected by the project?
During the second round of consultation in 2017 we will have a better idea of where the alignment of Ō2NL may be, as the community input will directly influence this. Note that we anticipate that we will be in a position to recommend an option to our Board early 2018. The alignment is not considered a preferred option until the Board has endorsed it.
General Information
What are the timeframes?
We will be re-engaging our key stakeholders including Councils and iwi from April & May 2017 onwards to ensure our proposed public consultation aligns with local thoughts and needs. We will then be asking the community to get involved in having their say.
There will be a second round of consultation later in 2017 where we’ll report back on what you told us and how we’ve used that information to further develop the project. We anticipate going to our Board early 2018 with a recommended option for their approval.
Once the Board has endorsed the recommended option, we will commence more detailed investigation, including preparing statutory consent applications in 2018/19. During the Resource Management Act (RMA) approvals stage there will be a further opportunity for the community to be involved. Should the RMA approvals be successful, our plan is to start construction of the new highway in 2021.
What is an expressway?
Expressways are dual carriageways that allow motorists to drive safely at speeds of up to 100km/h. They are designed to be straighter and flatter than other roads. For safety reasons, traffic in each direction is separated by a central barrier or strip of land. A four-lane expressway allows for higher volumes of through traffic than can be accommodated by a two-lane road. Providing two lanes in each direction also allows fast-moving traffic to overtake slower-moving vehicles. Access from local roads to the expressway is restricted to reduce points of conflict which in turns decreases the risk of crashes and allow more consistent travel times. Where access is provided, this usually takes the form of an interchange. As a consequence, there will need to be some changes to the local roading system.
Mackays to Peka Peka is an example of a recently completed expressway.
What benefits will we see?
There are many benefits that you can expect when O2LN is fully operational. They are:
- A continuation of high quality roads similar to Mackays to Peka Peka
- Less traffic on local roads meaning easier travel around the district
- Safer roads with fewer side accesses or turning traffic and less tight curves
- Relief from congestion when traffic reaches peak points
- Shorter journey times and better reliability for road users
- Relief from growing noise levels and air pollution for those living along the existing State Highway 1
- Quicker and easier access to important facilities such as Kāpiti and Wellington airports, hospitals, central business district and universities
- Enhanced connections between the main freight hubs of Wellington (and the South Island) and regions to the north and east, such as Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay
- Good quality and safe connections from local roads to the expressway.
Building the road may be staged over time, so that the benefits are realised progressively.
What will happen to the old State Highway 1 if it is replaced by an expressway?
In general the current State Highway 1 will become part of the local road network and will still be available for local and shorter trips and for access to properties. It will also provide an alternative route in case of emergencies.
What changes will Levin town centre see?
We are working with Horowhenua District Council to create road transport solutions that ensure that traffic will readily flow in, through and around Levin. The transport improvements proposed for State Highway 1 will help to improve safety and stimulate investment in both the Levin Town Centre and its surrounding areas. This fits with the Council’s plans to make the town centre a more attractive place for people to visit and businesses to thrive. Horowhenua District Council will be consulting on the Levin Town Centre Strategy in the coming months.
Who will pay for the Ō2NL?
The funding for the project will come from the NZ Transport Agency. Note that funding for the current investigation phase has been approved.
How much will Ō2NL cost?
The project will definitely cost more than $100M. However, until we have a preferred option, we cannot determine the total project cost.
When will construction begin?
Construction is likely to begin from 2021 - there may be some staging, so parts of the route may be completed before other sections.