News from the Ōtaki to north of Levin road: design work is continuing and ground testing is to take place soon:
Preparations are underway for geotechnical testing within the preferred corridor for the new highway. These investigations will include drilling boreholes up to 30m deep, to collect soil and rock samples, and penetration tests to evaluate the resistance of the ground.
What we learn about the soil and rock in the area will help the planning and design of the new road.
While the drilling and other testing isn’t able to happen with the current working restrictions, we’re preparing to go ahead as soon as we can.
What the testing will involve?
Nearly 50 tests will be carried out. The test sites do not represent where the exact route is likely to go as we haven’t determined that yet. The locations are generally evenly spaced to provide information about soil and rock conditions throughout the area. Some locations are selected for easiest access to avoid utilities, for example. To help us understand foundation requirements, other locations have been positioned near areas where significant structures or constraints are expected, such as around rivers and gullies.
Key dates for the project show construction starting in 2025 and completing in 2029.
Meanwhile safety work is being planned for the existing road:
- Stretches of median barrier on SH1, from where the PP2O expressway will end through to the intersection with SH57 – excluding Manakau and Ōhau, where safety improvements have recently been put in place
- A roundabout at the SH1 / SH57 intersection
- Edge barrier and wide centre lines, to provide greater separation between the traffic lanes, on SH57 from the SH1 intersection to Heatherlea East Road
- A roundabout at the SH57 / Queen Street intersection.