The NZ Transport Agency is reminding people who wish to provide submissions on the proposals for the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway to do so by this Friday (4 February 2011).
Public consultation began on 28 November 2010 and ran for 10 weeks to accommodate the December and January Christmas holiday break.
NZTA Central Regional Director Jenny Chetwynd said consultation is an important part of the process and provides the opportunity for the community to have their say on the proposals for the expressway.
"It is important for us to hear people’s views on these proposals and we encourage people who still wish to provide their views to do so by the end of the week."
Consultation brochures and feedback forms were sent to every Kapiti household in November last year and are still available at the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway Information Centre in Coastlands Mall as well as at libraries and council offices around the district.
A series of project expos were also held around the district to provide an opportunity for people to view maps and plans, and to speak directly with the project team to find out more about the proposals and project.
The brochure is also available on the project website, www.nzta.govt.nz/m2ppproject.(external link)
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.
Editor's notes
The Government has identified seven essential state highways projects that are linked to New Zealand's economic prosperity. Called the roads of national significance, or RoNS for short, the NZTA is charged with substantially completing this programme of state highway improvements within the next 10 years. The RoNS programme represents one of New Zealand's biggest ever infrastructure investments.
The seven RoNS projects are based around New Zealand's five largest population centres. The focus is on moving people and freight between and within these centres more safely and efficiently. Other RoNS may be added in future but currently from north to south the seven projects are:
More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/rons(external link)
