The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is set to begin investigating options to improve State Highway 1 (SH1) from Ōtaki north to north of Levin. This section of SH1 is part of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance.
NZTA State Highway Manager for Whanganui, David McGonigal said the NZTA has identified MWH as their preferred tenderer to carry out the investigation of options and preliminary design for the approximately 30km section of SH1 between north of Ōtaki and north of Levin.
During the first phase of the project the NZTA will determine the best options for the project taking into account timings, costs and environmental concerns. The NZTA expects to seek public input during this phase.
“Improving safety and reducing congestion on SH1 is a top priority and this work will help us to identify potential options to make this important route safer and more efficient.”
“As part of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance, additional benefits from this work will include the reduction of travel time between Levin and Wellington Airport and economic growth for the area,” Mr McGonigal said.
The preliminary work on the project includes investigating the development of a four-lane expressway between Ōtaki and Levin, investigating options for an alternative route for Levin and improvements to SH1 to the north of Levin.
The NZTA anticipates lodging consents for this project by the end of 2012.
View summary page for Ōtaki to north of Levin.
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)
