We’re improving the safety of State Highway 1 between Levin and Foxton by installing a new roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barriers, and new turnaround facilities.
Update – 11 March 2025
Due to contractor availability, the southbound lane of SH1, from the southern entrance to Foxton through to the intersection with Oturoa Road, will now be closed between 9am and 3pm weekdays for 1 week from Monday 24 to Friday 28 March 2025 (was previously scheduled for the week prior).
The road will remain open to northbound traffic.
A signposted detour will be in place for southbound road users, who will be detoured left onto Union Street and into Foxton Shannon Road, to State Highway 57 in Shannon, to Queen Street East, and back to State Highway 1 in Levin. Detour signage will be in place.
The lane closure is necessary to allow crews to complete a second coat seal on the highway and undertake some remedial tasks.
When we rebuild a section of the road and apply a chipseal finish we need to come back later to carry out a second coat seal. This locks in the seal to make it waterproof, keeps it stronger and safer for longer, and helps reduce the likelihood of flushing occurring.
While northbound traffic will remain on the highway, a reduced speed limit will be in place. The detour route is expected to add an additional 15 minutes to your journey time.
We thank everyone for their understanding during this work. A one-way closure allows crews to complete the work as efficiently as possible, minimising ongoing disruption to motorists.
This work follows the completion of Stage 2 of the SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements project. Stage 2 saw flexible median and turnaround facilities constructed at Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. A small section of side barrier was also installed on the southbound lane just south of the Oturoa Road intersection to prevent vehicles driving into a ditch.
Once the second coat seal and remedial work is complete there will be a break in works over the colder months. Work on the roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and Waitārere Beach Road expected to start in late 2025, subject to funding approval.
We’re improving the safety of State Highway 1 (SH1) from Levin to Foxton while we work to deliver the new highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin.
Once the new highway is complete, these safety improvements will keep people safe while they transition to a different driving environment.
The safety improvements are being constructed in four stages. These are:
Flexible median barrier and a turnaround facility constructed at the southern entrance to Foxton.
Construction on Stage 1 of improvements began on 9 January 2024 and is now complete.
CloseFlexible median with a gap at the entrance to Mitchpine Mill and turnaround facilities at Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. Sections of the road have been widened to make room for the median barrier. A small section of side barrier has also been installed on the southbound lane just south of the Oturoa Road intersection to prevent vehicles driving into a ditch.
Construction on Stage 2 of improvements began on 26 February 2024 and is now complete.
CloseA roundabout is planned for the SH1/Waitārere Beach Road intersection with small stretches of flexible median barrier installed at the northern and southern roundabout entries. A right turn bay is also planned to be installed outside Poroutawhao School and Lewis Farms, along with some side barrier just north of the school. Construction is expected to start in late 2025, subject to funding approval.
CloseRoad widening is planned to allow a wide centreline to be installed. Stretches of side barrier are also planned to prevent vehicles driving into roadside ditches. Subject to funding approval.
CloseFlexible median barrier and three turnaround facilities installed as part of the SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements.
We know these types of safety improvements are new for the area and have engaged our iwi and hapū partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community to get feedback and insights and to address any concerns about the infrastructure improvements. A summary of the feedback we received can be downloaded through the link below.
Alternatively you can write to us:
Ōtaki to north of Levin Project Team
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Level 5)
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
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