- Kia ora
- Getting to know our bridges
- Bridge 5 (Ōtaki River Bridge)
- We're seeking your ideas for a time capsule
- Upcoming construction milestones
Kia ora
Welcome to the March edition of Express Connect.
The year is certainly flying by and this month felt a bit surreal with the current surge in Omicron cases hitting communities across New Zealand and the recent protest in the capital. Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected.
Despite these challenging times, we continue to see good progress on the PP2Ō Expressway. We knew it would be a case of when, not if, Omicron hit the project and we’ve been contingency planning for its arrival for a while. We’ve implemented RAT (Rapid Antigen Testing) on site and in our offices to detect Omicron cases quickly, then manage them appropriately as part of our defence plan against Covid-19.
We know how rapidly Omicron spreads in the community and vaccination is still our main form of protection against the virus. Earlier this month, the PP2Ō project became a fully vaccinated site for employees, visitors and subcontractors. Ultimately, assuring the safety of our staff and visitors is paramount at this crucial time.
A key milestone achieved last month was the completion of the last section of subgrade (compacted soil) on the Expressway’s main alignment, swiftly followed by the completion of all the main alignment’s stabilised cement subbase - another fantastic accomplishment for the project. This means the asphalt team can progress laying the required two layers of deep lift asphalt (100mm of AC20 followed by 75mm of AC14), paving the way for the final layer of Epoxy Modified Open Graded Porous Asphalt to be applied.
Our team are striving to work hard to complete the Expressway as safely and efficiently as possible. With the completion and handover of the last section of subgrade and asphalt production in full swing, it’s really important to acknowledge and celebrate the good work we’re doing to bring this significant roading asset to the Kāpiti community and the wider Wellington region.
If you need any further information, please visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o(external link), call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Chris Hunt, Project Director
Getting to know our bridges
It’s easy to forget how far we’ve come with regards to constructing the bridges for the PP2Ō Expressway. Since the beginning of the project, we’ve completed ten structures - nine bridges and one pedestrian/cycle underpass (as described below) - with six of them already open to the public. The remaining three bridges and underpass will open when the new Expressway opens up for traffic. Bridge 1 (Waitohu Stream Bridge), Bridge 5 (Ōtaki River Bridge) and Bridge 9 (Makahuri Rail Overpass) are all located on the main alignment and are therefore part of the Expressway.
The underpass opposite Makahuri will provide a passageway under the Expressway for shared path users (e.g. cyclists and pedestrians). The shared path will cross the current State Highway 1, which will become a local arterial road, and continue along the east side of the Expressway towards Ōtaki township. Traffic lights, with a pedestrian operated button, will be installed on the local arterial road (current SH1) to allow for a safe crossing point.
The 10-kilometre-long shared path will provide the local communities it connects with a safer multi-modal trail separated from cars, trucks and other motor vehicles.
Bridge 5 (Ōtaki River Bridge)
Bridge 5 (Ōtaki River Bridge) is the only structure on the project that will carry a section of the new shared path, which will run along the east side of the bridge. At the northern end of Bridge 5, an artwork will be installed on the shared path side complementing the bridge’s architecturally-designed black handrails. The handrails will be 1.4m high from road level and lighting will be incorporated into the handrail structure to ensure it’s safe.
The design of the bridge is already striking in its own right, however, at night it will really come to life. Custom-designed lights, shining from bottom to top, will illuminate the yet-to-be-installed artwork on the bridge along with the whole structure. This innovative piece of art will hopefully leave a lasting impression on everyone using this section of the shared path.
Ōtaki River Bridge facts
- Four-lane bridge
- Separate pedestrian and cycling shared path running along the eastern side
- 140m span over the Ōtaki River
- 330m overall length
- 28m wide
- ‘Super T’ concrete bridge
- Bridge marker artwork at the northern end of the shared path.
Architecturally designed handrails on eastern side of Ōtaki River Bridge.
We're seeking your ideas for a time capsule!
Submissions are open for items to be placed in the time capsule.
Much of what we know about our history has come from artefacts that tell stories of our ancestors. If you could leave a piece of Ōtaki to be discovered by future generations – what would it be?
PP2Ō is seeking ideas for items to be included in a time capsule which will be placed underneath one of the Interchange Gateway Sculptures (gifted to the community as part of the project). The time capsule theme is ‘Your Ōtaki – what Ōtaki means to you’. This includes contemporary views, historic documents and artefacts that provide insights into how Ōtaki came to be, the place it is today and what it means to the community. Think broadly!
Anything placed in the time capsule must be dry and non-perishable, so items made from materials like paper, plastic and glass may work best.
If you would like to submit an item to be considered for the time capsule, please email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz.
Upcoming construction milestones
Northern area update
-
Deep lift asphalt paving to be completed by the end of August 2022.
Central area update
- Winiata Link Road to be fully completed by late August / early September 2022.
- Wire rope barriers along shoulders and median to be completed by the end of September 2022.
Southern area update
- Deep lift asphalt paving to be completed by the end of March / early April 2022.
- Wire rope barriers along shoulders and median to be completed by May 2022.
