North of Levin

North of Levin

We have developed a package of proposed improvements for the existing State Highway 1 between Levin and the Whirokino Trestle to address this part of the Otaki to north of Levin project.

These improvements aim to provide a safe and efficient modern state highway that can accommodate the volumes of traffic that we expect over the short to medium term.  The key components of this programme are:

• Straightening the Waitarere Beach Road Curves (including access to side roads like Waitarere Beach Road, Paeroa Road and Clay Road and slip road to local properties adjacent to the highway)
• Improving the access to, and signage of, Poroutawhao School
• Creating two new passing lanes (northbound - heading towards Foxton).  One is located to the north of Levin. The other is north of Waitarere Beach Road
• Some minor safety improvements at Lindsay Road intersection with State Highway 1 (immediately north of Levin)
• Widening and installing barriers at the side of the road across the whole North of Levin corridor

Overview of North of Levin

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These improvements are expected to reduce the number and severity of crashes, predicting that 31 lives will be saved over a 10-year period.  The improvements will also provide more opportunities to pass slower ‘farming’ vehicles.

We have started the process to get consent for the proposed improvements at Waitarere Beach Road Curves and at Poroutawhao School with Horowhenua District Council.  Construction of these improvements will occur before the proposed northbound passing lane north of Levin (situated south of Waitarere) for safety reasons.  

We have started work to investigate the design of the passing lanes and expect to provide more information on this later in 2016.   The remaining projects listed above will be investigated after the passing lane work has been completed. We will continue to discuss these improvements with local iwi and communities in the area.

Waitarere Beach Road Curves

We previously asked people for their feedback on proposals to improve the Waitarere Beach Road Curves area of the Otaki to North of Levin project. This area has a history of serious and fatal crashes, particularly head-on crashes, which needs to be resolved to meet our objective of improving safety as well as efficiency north of Levin.

Our proposals to address the safety concerns include straightening the three curves in the road, providing parallel access for local traffic, (particularly to adjoining properties which currently have direct access to the highway), edge barriers and installing a wire rope median barrier to eliminate the risk of future head-on crashes.

Following consultation and discussions with landowners and the local Waitarere community, we have lodged consent applications with the Horowhenua District Council.  This consent application has now been publicly notified and may be reviewed here .

Waitarere Curves Safety Improvements - Access arrangements

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We would like to thank the community for its extensive input into the development of the design for the Waitarere Curves so far.  This has informed the final proposal we are seeking consent for.

This has resulted in the proposal being modified to address community access concerns, the needs of heavy vehicle users travelling to/from rural properties, the needs of the local school and marae in the area and which fits with the package of improvements for the North of Levin area.

More information on the refined proposal is available in our application information.  

Vol I  Assessment of Environmental Effects

• Assessment of environmental effects

Vol II  Technical Reports

• Appendix A Standard Terms and Glossary
• Appendix B Transport Report
• Appendix C Stormwater Design Report
• Appendix D Erosion and Sediment Control
• Appendix E Archaeological & Heritage Assessment
• Appendix F Preliminary Geotechnical Assessment
• A ppendix G Ecological Assessment Report
• Appendix H Landscape and Visual Assessment
• Appendix I Acoustic Assessment Report 
• Appendix J Alternatives Assessment Report
• Appendix L Previous Reports List 
• Appendix M Cultural Impact Assessment

Vol III  Plan Sets

• Plan Set A - Index
• Plan Set B - Designation Plan
• Plan Set C - Land requirement Plans
• Plan Set D - Layout Plans 
• Plan Set E - General Arrangement Plans 
• Plan Set F - Poroutawhao School Works Plan
• Plan Set G - Sediment Control Plans
• Plan Set H - Drainage Layout Plan 
• Plan Set I - Landscape Context Plan
• Plan Set J - Typical Cross Section
• Plan Set K - Cross Sections

Other reports (2015)

• Otaki to north of Levin RONS: North of Levin Improvements [PDF, 11 MB]
• Business Case for Implementation: SH1 Waitarere Beach Road Curves [PDF, 7.9 MB]