We’re improving the safety of State Highway 1 between Levin and Foxton by installing a new roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barriers, and new turnaround facilities.
We’re improving the safety of State Highway 1 (SH1) from Levin to Foxton while we work to deliver the new highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin.
Once the new highway is complete, these safety improvements will keep people safe while they transition to a different driving environment.
To help prevent deaths and serious injuries on this road, we’re installing a roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barrier, and new turnaround facilities.
We know these types of safety improvements are new for the area and have engaged our iwi and hapū partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community to get feedback and insights and to address any concerns about the infrastructure improvements. A summary of the feedback we received can be downloaded through the link below.
Engagement summary [PDF, 255 KB](external link)
CloseFlexible median barriers are a key part of this project.
These barriers put a barrier between you and an oncoming car, truck or motorcycle. This means that if someone loses control or drifts across the centreline, the result isn’t a deadly head-on crash. We know median barriers down the centreline are very effective, because of the number of times they get hit.
We also know that this stretch of SH1 is used by a wide variety of people including local farmers and residents, families transporting children to and from school, emergency and freight vehicles, as well as the thousands of other travellers that use this stretch of SH1 each year.
We have designed the improvements, including the flexible median barrier, with the needs of these different groups of people in mind and with the goal of making sure that everyone who uses the road gets to their destination safely.
More information on the flexible median barriers, including the different factors we considered in deciding where to put them, is available on our Safety infrastructure page.
Safety infrastructure – SH1 Levin to Foxton
CloseWe’re improving the safety of State Highway 1 (SH1) from Levin to Foxton while we work to deliver the new highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin. Once the new highway is complete, these safety improvements will keep people safe while they transition to a different driving environment. To help prevent deaths and serious injuries on this road, we’re installing a roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barrier, and new turnaround facilities.
The safety improvements will be constructed in four stages. These are:
Flexible median barrier will be installed along this stretch with a turnaround facility constructed at the southern entrance to Foxton.
Construction on Stage 1 of improvements began on 9 January 2024 and is now complete.
CloseFlexible median will be installed along this stretch with a gap at the entrance to Mitchpine Mill and turnaround facilities at Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. Sections of the road will be widened to make room for the median barrier. A small section of side barrier will also be installed on the southbound lane just south of the Oturoa Road intersection to prevent vehicles driving into a ditch.
Construction on Stage 2 of improvements began on 26 February 2024 and is due to be completed by early 2025.
CloseA roundabout will be constructed at the Waitārere Beach Road intersection with small stretches of flexible median barrier installed at the northern and southern roundabout entries. A right turn bay will also be installed outside Poroutawhao School. Some side barrier will also be installed just north of the school. Subject to funding approval.
CloseThe road will be widened to allow a wide centreline to be installed. Stretches of side barrier will be installed to prevent vehicles driving into roadside ditches. Subject to funding approval.
CloseOver the Christmas holiday period (midday 20 December 2024 until 6 January 2025) there will be no traffic management in place.
From 6 January, a temporary speed limit will be in place between Oturoa Road and Koputaroa Road while crews work to widen driveways (which will provide spaces for agricultural vehicles to pull over) and other minor works.
From Thursday 16 January until Sunday 26 January the contractor will begin installing flexible median barrier between Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. From 16-24 January, both lanes of the road will be open with a 30 km/h temporary speed limit in place while holes are drilled and posts installed. On the last two days, 25-26 January, stop/go traffic management will be in place at night while crews install the wire ropes.
In the event of bad weather, these works will be carried out on the next fine evening. We will advise you of any significant changes to the planned traffic management.
We’re committed to increasing value for money of the public funds invested into our work.
We previously proposed installing a wide centreline and some side barrier south of the southern intersection of SH1 and Koputaroa Road through to the entry to Levin. We’re now planning to make improvements to the north of this intersection only.
This decision was made as the Ōtaki to North of Levin highway (Ō2NL) will connect on to the existing state highway just south of the SH1/Koputaroa Road intersection, with a roundabout being constructed to safely connect the new highway with the existing road.
Making the safety improvements up to this intersection will ensure the existing state highway in this area is ready to safely take traffic from Ō2NL once it is open, while ensuring the project delivers good value for money.
We’re also looking to reduce costs, such as with temporary traffic management, without compromising road worker or user safety.
Alternatively you can write to us:
Ōtaki to north of Levin Project Team
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Level 5)
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
