Last updated 14 July 2021
Proposed safety improvements
- Why are safety improvements being implemented now?
In the five years from 2016 to 2020, there were 25 serious crashes on SH1 between Levin’s southern 80/50 threshold through to Ōtaki’s northern 100/50 threshold. These crashes resulted in seven people dying and 28 people being seriously injured. A combination of improvements to the road and roadside, and a speed review is expected to deliver better safety outcomes than infrastructure alone.
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- Why were the proposed safety improvements chosen?
The proposed safety improvements are proven safety interventions that were selected to suit the nature of the road, considering factors such as the volume of traffic and width of the existing road corridor.
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- What’s happening to the three passing lanes currently between Ōtaki and Levin?
The proposals include removal of the current passing lanes, in order to accommodate the safety improvements.
- Northbound passing lane at Forest Lakes Road needs to be removed to accommodate median barriers. The Forrest Lakes passing lane will no longer be needed once PP2Ō opens as there will be very little passing demand so close to the end of a long section of expressway. A slow vehicle bay will be considered along this length (due to the grade) as part of the final design.
- Northbound passing lane north of Tatum Park needs to be removed to accommodate wide centrelines and side barriers. This passing lane has a poor crash history and is adjacent to a line of power poles.
- Southbound passing lane north of Kuku Beach Road needs to be removed to accommodate wide centrelines. This passing lane also has a poor crash history. It is short compared to current standards for passing lanes and it terminates at an unsafe location (at a right turn bay into Kuku Road) and makes access too difficult to multiple properties along its length.
- Will the road still be wide enough to accommodate agricultural and emergency vehicles?
The proposed safety improvements would provide greater road width than is currently available. During the design phase, careful consideration will be given to the width between the barriers to allow agricultural vehicles to pull over, and for breakdowns, road maintenance, and to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
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- Will land need to be purchased to accommodate widening the highway and building these safety improvements?
Current plans fit all improvements within the existing highway corridor, so no additional land is required from property owners. This may necessitate some adjustments to the area of land that the road occupies in the rail corridor.
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- Median barriers are proposed in my areas. How will I turn across the highway?
We appreciate that for residents, median barriers can mean a change to how they access their properties. Three signposted turnaround areas will offer safe places to turn right across the highway in locations with median barriers. These turnarounds are designed to accommodate a 19m semi-trailer:
- Gleeson Road
- Pukehou overbridge
- Southern end, built into the accessway to Loco Miniature Railway and Gardens.
Other turning opportunities can accommodate smaller vehicles:
- South Manakau Road (8m truck)
- Atkins Road (8m truck)
- Forest Lakes Road (large car)
- Southern rest area (large car)
- Why are median barriers being proposed?
When Transmission Gully and the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway are completed, drivers will travel approx. 80km from Wellington to north of Ōtaki on dual-lane, median separated highways.
Our safety improvements are designed to transition drivers safely from this environment through to the single-lane environment further north. The first step on this transition is between Taylors Road and Manakau, where the road reduces to one lane in each direction but is still median separated.
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- The SH1/SH57 intersection looks unusual – how does it work?
The proposed roundabout includes extending the road width to three lanes on both the northern and southern approaches. Traffic turning right into SH57 (coming from the south) and left into SH57 (coming from the north) would enter separate lanes of traffic to those travelling straight through the roundabout in either direction. There would also be barrier arms included in the roundabout to ensure the traffic clears the level crossing if a train is approaching. Once the level crossing exit is clear, the SH1 barrier will raise allowing traffic to continue.
A similar roundabout adjacent to railway lines has been built in Spring Creek, Blenheim.
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Safer speeds
- Are speed limits changing?
We are currently at the engagement stage of the speed review process, which helps us get better understand how you use the road and any concerns you may have. This feedback helps us determine if and what proposed speed limit changes will be formally consulted on.
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- What happens next with the speed review?
After an initial technical assessment and community input, whether a speed review is progressed is determined. To progress a speed change further, a formal proposal needs to be put to the community for feedback – this is called consultation. During consultation, specific proposed speeds are shared. Following formal consultation, a final decision is made and published before speed limit signs are changed.
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