The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has selected a consortium to deliver the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway, part of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance.
The consortium, comprising Beca Planning and Infrastructure, Fletcher Construction and Higgins Group, joins the NZTA to form the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway Alliance.
Central Regional Director Jenny Chetwynd says the expressway will bring transport benefits including improved road safety, a reduction in journey times and an increase in travel reliability to and from the Kapiti district and greater Wellington region.
“Equally important will be the benefits that this transport infrastructure spending will bring to the local economy, particularly local contractors and businesses - which will, in turn, enhance economic growth and productivity throughout the lower North Island.
“We are now able to begin work on a complex and extremely important project for Kapiti and the Wellington region.
“The NZTA has made a commitment to the Kapiti community to provide certainty about the proposed route for the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway as soon as possible. By establishing an alliance to deliver the expressway, we’ll be able to move much quicker into the investigation and design phases than if we were to use traditional methods of expressway design and construction.”
Ms Chetwynd says one of the first tasks for the Alliance will be to hold discussions with the Kapiti Coast District Council to determine future working principles. It will also provide the community with information on the project, including an indicative timetable of work.
“This will give the community a better feel for when the investigation, design and construction work on the expressway is likely to happen, what it will involve, and how they can participate.”
The Wellington Northern Corridor, which runs from Levin to Wellington Airport, is one of seven roads of national significance which have been identified by the Government as essential routes. The Government has asked NZTA to develop plans to substantially complete these roads over the next 10 years. This programme represents one of New Zealand’s biggest ever infrastructure investments and is a key part of the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s Policy Statement for transport.
The Mackays to Peka Peka section links with the Peka Peka to Otaki section and together they form part of the Levin to Wellington route. When eventually completed, the route is expected to deliver time savings of up to 30 minutes for motorists.
“It is expected that the Alliance will establish a shop front in Kapiti, where the community will be able to talk with a member of the project team and get the latest updates,” Ms Chetwynd says.
The consortium is comprised of Beca Planning and Infrastructure, Fletcher Construction and Higgins Group, and supported by Goodmans Contractors, Incite and Boffa Miskell.
