The three construction zones
Southern: Mackays Crossing to Kāpiti Road
The project starts north of the Mackays Crossing overbridge, on the four lane length of State Highway 1 known as the Raumati Straights. The first 2km involves rehabilitation of the existing roadway, to Expressway standard and will eventually tie into Transmission Gully. The new Expressway starts just south of Poplar Avenue. It involves:
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Building the Poplar Avenue partial interchange with south facing on and off ramps only
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An overpass over Raumati Road
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Converting Leinster Avenue to a cul de sac
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Building a new local road off Leinster Avenue to provide access for properties cut off by the Expressway
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A bridge over the Wharemauku Stream, where provision is being made for a floodway and pedestrians and cyclists
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A full interchange at Kāpiti Road with both north facing and south facing on and off-ramps controlled by traffic lights
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Widening Kāpiti Road to provide two through lanes in each direction and turning lanes.
Community impact
A lot of people live close to this area of construction, so noise, dust and vibration are carefully monitored. Also, regular neighbourhood forums continue to be held with local residents to talk through any issues or concerns.
What it will look like when it’s finished
Central: Kāpiti Road to the north bank of the Waikanae River
From Kāpiti Road, the Expressway continues through Paraparaumu to Waikanae. Largely it follows a route that was held for many years for a Western Link Road. The construction of this section involved:
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Lowering Mazengarb Road in Paraparaumu to allow the Expressway to pass over it
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Creating major new wetlands
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Building a bridge over Otaihanga Road
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Reinstating access to private properties
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Building the four-lane, 180m Waikanae River bridge, the largest single structure of the project.
The Waikanae Bridge
The four-lane Waikanae River Bridge is the biggest single structure on the new Expressway. The bridge has been architecturally and seismically designed, pushing engineering design and innovation to their limits. It boasts the biggest bored piles in New Zealand.
Urban design
The project worked with local iwi, Te Atiawa, on the urban design details of the new Waikanae River Bridge.
Community impact
Many people live next to construction in the Central Zone. Noise, vibration and dust were carefully monitored. Also, regular neighbourhood forums continue to be held with local residents to talk through any issues or concerns.
Northern: Te Moana Road to Peka Peka
From the Waikanae River Bridge, the Expressway continues through Waikanae where it connects to local roads via a full interchange at Te Moana Road. It then continues to just north of Peka Peka Road where it re-joins the existing highway.
Construction in this zone involved:
- Building a full interchange at Te Moana Road with both north facing and south facing on and off-ramps controlled by traffic lights
- Building a new road to replace the severed connection to the Nga Manu Nature Reserve and Smithfield Road
- A partial interchange at Peka Peka Road with a northbound on-ramp and a southbound off-ramp
- A temporary tie-in to the existing highway at Te Kowhai Road, pending future construction of the Peka Peka to Otaki project
- Relocation of the Vector Gas pipelines.
Respect for the land
The area between the Waikanae River and Te Moana Road is waahi-tapu, sacred Maori land. The project team worked respectfully in this area, observing certain cultural protocols such as eating only in blessed areas.
Community impact
As in other zones, work was close to people’s houses and businesses. Regular neighbourhood forums continue to be held with local residents to talk through any issues or concerns.
Contact
If you’d like to talk to someone about any concerns or issues, or if you just have a question you'd like answered contact our community liaison officers by phoning 0508 M2PP INFO (0508 627 746) or email info@m2pp.co.nz
