The NZ Transport Agency is welcoming today"s release of the Board of Inquiry's final decision to approve the regulatory and resource consents applications lodged by the Transport Agency for the SH1 Peka Peka to North Ōtaki Expressway Proposal.
Transport Agency Wellington State Highway Manager Rod James said the Board"s final decision has provided certainty for the project and for the people of the Kapiti Coast. The approval will now allow the Transport Agency to progress it to construction in 2016.
"The approval of the application is an important milestone for the Kapiti Coast district and the Wellington region as the Expressway aims to improve traffic congestion, travel time reliability and safety on the route."
"We are now beginning to work on detailed designs for this stretch of the Expressway. This takes a considerable amount of time, and construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2016. We expect it will take about four years to build the road, and we are looking forward to working with stakeholder groups and local communities throughout the project."
Mr James says that the Kapiti Expressway, which comprises the MacKays to Peka Peka and Peka Peka to Otaki sections, will transform the safety and efficiency of Kapiti Coast"s highway network.
"What the Kapiti Expressway will mean for people is safer journeys, shorter travel times, and a more resilient, reliable transport link north of the Capital as part of the Wellington Northern Corridor.
"The Expressway will enable better connections between Kapiti"s local road network while also providing a stronger link to Wellington for Kapiti"s communities and businesses.
"As well as providing for greater economic productivity, we estimate that construction of the project will create local jobs for people working directly on the project and also in its supply chains."
Mr James says the adjoining MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway to the south is currently underway and is due to be completed in 2017.
The Peka Peka to North Ōtaki Expressway is an integral section of the State Highway 1 Wellington Northern Corridor which runs from Wellington Airport to Levin.
The Wellington Northern Corridor is one of seven "roads of national significance" that the Government has identified as essential state highways which require upgrading to reduce congestion, improve safety and support economic growth in New Zealand.
The Board of Inquiry"s Final Report and Decision can be accessed online at http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/pp2o/Pages/default.aspx.(external link)
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager - Central
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
