Category: Roads

In 2021 on average there was one day each fortnight where you would have experienced delays driving on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin.

Eight people sadly lost their life on that stretch of road, and there were 37 crashes — that’s about 3 each month on average.

The road was completely closed 5 times.

Those stats are why I take a book now if I’m travelling on that stretch of road.

To see more on this and to read the documents with the info, or for comparisons with recent years take a look at Road Crash stats – Waikawa News.

Latest update after the fatal crash earlier today:

1PM TRAFFIC UPDATE

MONDAY 20TH DECEMBER

🔴 SH1 is fully open at Manakau following the earlier fatal crash. Nearly all delays are clear, except southbound into Otaki. It’s backed up to South h Manakau Rd and slow. North is fine

SH1 fine everywhere else

As of 07:29 am on Monday 20 December 2021 the road is closed at Manakau because of a crash:

CAR VS TRUCK SH1 MANAKAU – ROAD CLOSED

Reports of a concrete truck vs car just north of South Manakau Rd in Manakau and the road is now closed. Truck on it’s side in a driveway. Truck driver is mostly fine. Detour via South Manakau Rd and the Manakau Village

YOU CAN STILL GET LEVIN TO OTAKI, JUST FOLLOW SMALL DETOUR. THIS IS SUITABLE FOR TRUCKS AND HEAVY VEHICLES BUT ONLY IF YOU DO NOT TRAVEL PAST MANAKAU HEIGHTS RD ON SOUTH MANAKAU RD (trucks will get stuck that way)

Expect major delays and for the road to be closed for several hours. Serious Crash is attending and also a crane will be needed to right the truck later

Update 08.30 am: put off travel if you can as traffic is completely stalled.

Update 10.00 am:

Fatal crash, SH1, Manakau

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway One, Manakau earlier this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash between a car and truck shortly before 6am.

The driver of the car died at the scene.

The truck driver sustained moderate injuries.

The road remains closed while Police continue the scene examination.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and to expect delays.

Waka Kotahi say:

SH1 MANAKAU TO OHAU RIVER BRIDGE, MANAWATU-WHANGANUI – SURFACE FLOODING – 8:30AM [Tuesday 14 December 2021]
Due to surface flooding between Manakau and Ohau River Bridge, there is a temporary speed limit of 30km/h in place. Please slow down, take extra care & drive to the conditions. ^LZ

Given the heavy rain forecast for a couple more days yet surface flooding may well occur or persist for a while. See Metservice.

Waka Kotahi say:

Preferred alignment of new [Ōtaki to north of Levin] highway announced

Site investigations and design work over the last two years have provided increasing confidence in the location of the new highway.

Continue reading “Preferred alignment of O2NL announced, December 2021”

Waka Kotahi say:

SH1 Kuku safety improvements under construction

Following community engagement on SH1 Ōtaki to Levin safety improvements in July this year, we have refined our plan for infrastructure improvements in the Kuku section of the road, to make this stretch safer.

Continue reading “SH1 Kuku road safety improvements delayed”