The NZ Transport Agency has released plans for the Ōtaki to north of Levin (O2NL) transport corridor to improve safety and resilience as well as planning now for future population growth.
The Transport Agency has re-evaluated the corridor to ensure plans align with new priorities set out in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS).
This work is now complete and supports the government vision for a safer transport network free of death and injury, accessible and affordable transport, value for money and reduced emissions.
Work for a new two lane state highway will be progressed creating four lanes of capacity on the corridor along with the existing road. The new State Highway will allow for additional capacity in the future by protecting a route suitable for four lanes. The construction timing and form of this new route will depend on growth and on funding priorities across the rest of the country.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Director Regional Relationships, Emma Speight says it will confirm the preferred route for a new route before the end of this year.
“We will be working to designate and protect the land for a new corridor as soon as possible, to provide greater certainty for the community.”
In the short term, immediate safety improvements will be made on the existing highway.
“These safety improvements will initially focus on speed management, road marking, signs, and enforcement, followed by infrastructure measures.”
Public transport enhancements will be investigated for the region which could include rail connections, park and ride availability and bus service improvements.
“We will work with our partners and the Levin community to investigate a programme to make the town centre a better place to live and move around.”
Sustainable land use, enhanced walking and cycling access and staging construction of the new road to manage heavy vehicles will also be considered.
“We appreciate people’s patience as we’ve worked through this important re-evaluation process and recognise the frustration that uncertainty can bring. We’ll be coming back to the community and stakeholders before the end of this year about the preferred road corridor and proposed timing for project construction,” says Ms Speight.
More information about the project and the re-evaluation process can be found below:
