In a statement issued today [NZTA] said it has committed to undertake the next steps for the transport corridor bwteeen Ōtaki and North of Levin.
It is also committed now to progress safety improvements for the existing SH1 as an “immediate priority.” …
Agency Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight says the Agency will now move ahead on a series of critical next steps to build on the work already done to plan the new route. This includes undertaking the detailed business case and designation, as well as ensuring safety is improved on the existing State Highway 1 in the short term. …
To improve safety in the short term, ahead of longer term solutions, upgrades will be made along 23.4 kilometres of the existing state highway, running along State Highway 1 from the end of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway to Taylors Road, and along State Highway 57 from the intersection with State Highway 1 to the previously-completed safety improvements.
The safety improvements are expected to include the installation of new median barriers, roadside barriers and wide centrelines, along with consideration of a new roundabout at the State Highway 57/Queen Street intersection and new turnaround facilities at State Highway 1/State Highway 57.
Ms Speight says a review of speed limits on State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to Levin will also begin in the near future, which the Transport Agency will talk with the community about.
Source: Expressway? Yeah! NZTA commits to next steps – NZ Herald.
Its wrong to say that this road has been funded.
It hasn’t.
What they have agreed to is a business case, which is another way of delaying the go ahead. If you read the release its all about renovating the existing road.
So far the govt has taken over 5 billion from the roading budget. The risk is when the current projects (transmission gully etc) are complete the equipment and people skills leave the area creating even more delays
Usual residence: Waikawa