The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin public consultation on the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway this Sunday (28 November 2010). Consultation will run for ten weeks, until Friday 4 February 2011.
The NZTA has extended the consultation period to ensure that all Kapiti residents can have their say on the proposed expressway route. All residents will receive a consultation brochure which will include a form to provide feedback on the proposals for the expressway. In addition, project expos will be held at Otaihanga, Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae to provide an opportunity for people to meet the project team, learn more about the proposals, ask questions and provide feedback in person.
All of the public consultation material will also be available on the project website from Saturday 27 November.
NZTA Central Regional Director Jenny Chetwynd said the start of public consultation had been deferred for three weeks in order to develop a more detailed route proposal which will provide more certainty for those who are potentially affected.
“We are committed to keeping the community informed and giving people the opportunity to have their say. By spending a few more weeks developing the route we’re now in a position to present the community with a proposal that is more detailed and better illustrates how they might be affected.”
The Mackays to Peka Peka route has been identified as one of eight sections in the Wellington Northern Corridor (Wellington Airport to Levin) road of national significance requiring improvement to ease congestion and improve travel time reliability.
In 2009, Kapiti residents were consulted on options for a four-lane expressway. Following the consultation, a preferred route largely following the Western Link Road Corridor was chosen. Since then, further investigation and design work have been carried out to determine the proposals for the various components of the expressway. These proposals are now being presented for public consultation.
