- Kia ora
- Speed limits
- New State Highway 1 pedestrian crossing and Mill Road roundabout layout
- PP2Ō Expressway Bridge graphics
- Meet the artist
- Construction update
Kia ora
Safety, particularly on the State Highway and local roads, is at the top of our agenda as we progress work on the PP2Ō Expressway. Throughout the PP2Ō project, temporary traffic management plans are making changes to people’s travel patterns and routes. In this month’s e-newsletter, Traffic Manager Chris Harmer explains the approach we are taking and why it’s so important to pay attention to the signage and reduced speed limits out there. In summary below we draw attention to the recent changes to SH1 in Ōtaki.
With the great progress being made on Bridges 2 and 3 (north-west of the Mill Road roundabout) the community will soon see some of the more creative aspects of the project emerging. Unique designs that tell local stories and histories have been created for a number of the outward facing bridge panels. These have been conceived in partnership with Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, local graphic designer Piri-Hira Tukapua and our design team. You’ll find out more below as well as in this month’s e-newsletter on www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o
If you need any further information on the PP2Ō Expressway project please call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz
Ngā mihi
Andy Goldie, Project Manager
Speed limits
Motorists will be familiar with the orange cones and temporary speed limits that direct traffic movements around the PP2Ō Expressway project. Throughout the length of the project, temporary traffic management plans are making changes to people’s travel patterns and routes.
There’s a lot going on at the moment, particularly on State Highway 1 south of the Ōtaki River Bridge and north of the Mill Road roundabout in Ōtaki. We caught up with PP2Ō Traffic Manager, Chris Harmer to find out what’s driving the changes (excuse the pun).
“The important thing for people to realise, is that all traffic management measures on the highway are there for one reason – safety – for workers, road users and pedestrians alike.”
“And, while it may not always be obvious why a temporary measure is in place, sound research and real-time traffic data inform what we do and where we do it.” says Chris.
Any speed changes are made in relation to PP2Ō work requirements. These changes are closely regulated by the law and two key regulatory bodies (NZTA for the State Highway and KCDC for the local roads).
Orange cones and temporary speed limits that direct traffic movements around the PP2Ō Expressway Project.
Chris says generally most drivers do comply with temporary speed limits. “Good signage and early warnings are our best tools for keeping road users informed. There are multiple speed zones along the project and as part of our works we will be lowering speed limits in some areas for the safety of everyone.”
Detailed research influences the type of traffic management we use around our works. The team have recently analysed average speeds motorists travel on the seven speed zones between Peka Peka and Taylors Road, and have also researched crash statistics in the area.
About 40 percent of crashes involve only one vehicle, for example with the driver losing control and hitting a tree or barrier. The worst area for crashes is the Te Horo Beach Road intersection with SH1. This kind of data informs the measures we put in place for our works.
“Sometimes we will need to do night works and will bring in ‘stop/go’ management when traffic volumes are lower. At other times it may be temporary speed limits or we will alter traffic lanes by placing cones. As mentioned previously, any speed changes will be in relation to PP2Ō work requirements and by lowering them we hope to create a more consistent speed across the area.” says Chris.
At all times, the guiding principle of traffic management plans is safety and we can all do our bit by slowing down around all works and allowing a little extra time for our journeys.
New State Highway 1 pedestrian crossing and Mill Road roundabout layout
What you need to know if you’re driving or cycling:
- A new signalised pedestrian crossing will be created just north of the Mill Road roundabout.
- Single-lane flow around the roundabout, similar to holiday weekends will be implemented 24/7.
What you need to know if you’re walking:
- The pedestrian underpass which currently connects County Road with SH1 will be permanently closed.
- Pedestrians are being temporarily diverted via County Road and Rāhui Road to the new crossing point.
- Once SH1 traffic is switched onto the new bridges later in the year pedestrians will be able to walk down the eastern side of SH1 to the new signalised crossing on a 3m-wide shared path.
Once traffic is using the new bridge, we will dismantle the old bridge and start to build the new rail track.
PP2Ō Expressway Bridge graphics
Stories of Ōtaki, its landscape, waterways, people and ecology will be told graphically in designs being created by local artist Piri-Hira Tukapua for several of the expressway bridges.
Piri-Hira, of Taitoko Design, will depict native species, flora and fauna, as well as stories of cultural and historical importance across ten different designs, each specific to the location of the particular bridge it will adorn.
The first of these designs to emerge to public view will be on Bridges 2 and 3 (north-west of the Mill Road roundabout). All the graphics are designed to sit on the outward facing bridge barriers and be seen from the expressway as people travel towards and under them. Each design is significant to its location and aspect.
The north-facing design on Bridge 2 is called Ngā wai o Ōtaki (the waterways of Ōtaki). The smaller koru in the graphic represent the puna (springs) bubbling up from the ground to the surface. Springs are to be found all over Otaki and are a major source of fresh clean water. The flowing lines are the streams, Waitohu, Mangapōuri and Mangone and many subsidiaries that flow towards the Otaki River. The top lines depict the Ōtaki River, the major water way of the town, and the large centre piece is where the waterways meet the waves at the sea.
Ngā wai o Ōtaki (the waterways of Ōtaki).
The south-facing design on Bridge 2 is called Te Manuao (the world of Birds) from the adjacent named block of land and the Road well-known to locals. On the far left the extinct Huia is sitting, majestic on a branch representing the past and recalling the significance of the birds to the local Ngati Huia people living at Katihiku Marae. Then from left to right are four birds in flight – Ngā Karoro (seagulls) and the Kereru (wood pigeon) plump with its wings open, representing the present and future.
People travelling northbound on State Highway 1 through Ōtaki will be able to see the south facing graphic Te Manuao when it’s added to Bridge 2 later this year.
Te Manuao (the world of Birds).
In the digital update below you can meet artist Piri-Hira Tukapua and hear her talk about the work and the design journey she’s been on.
Meet the artist
Piri-Hira Tukapua talks to Ōtaki College media studies students about the PP2Ō Expressway Bridge art graphics.
Construction update
North Zone (north of the Ōtaki River to Taylors Road)
Works are picking up between Taylors Road and Ōtaki Township as we continue setting up work sites and creating access tracks for the new Waitohu River Bridge (Bridge 1).
Construction continues on Bridges 2 and 3 (north-west of the Mill Road roundabout). This month we’ll be finishing utilities and drainage works over those two bridges. We’re also pouring concrete on the bridge decks, followed by installing barriers, bridge graphics and completing tie-ins to SH1 and County Road.
Retaining walls on the eastern and western sides of SH1 north of the Mill Road roundabout are underway. These will support the new section of local road.
The western footpath on SH1 in this area remains closed with pedestrians diverted via County Road. Please continue to use the temporary footpath and the signalised pedestrian crossing just north of the Mill Road roundabout.
We’ve finished the western abutment of Bridge 4 (the bridge that will take Rāhui Road over the realigned rail track expressway and shared path). Works on the eastern abutment will start after we’ve moved the rail track which is currently planned for Easter 2019.
Ōtaki Railway Station platform extension works continue. We’ve finished at the southern end and are now working on the northern section. You will notice ongoing works in and around the rail corridor as we prepare to move the rail tracks.
Things are busy out there, so please slow down around all works and allow a little extra time for your journey.
Progress on Bridges 2 and 3.
Piling works progressing on north bank of the Ōtaki River.
South Zone (south of the Ōtaki River to Peka Peka)
We’ve finished all the piles on the southern side of the new Ōtaki River Bridge (Bridge 5) and are now working on the northern bank and abutment. Beam installation and deck construction continue on the south end of the bridge and access to the south bank remains restricted around our works.
The Chrystalls Bend public river walkway on the north bank is diverting people around our work site. The diversion is well signposted and fenced for your safety and remains in place until around June 2019. For everyone’s safety please observe all site signage and stay out of work sites.
Works on Bridge 6, that will carry Ōtaki Gorge Road over the rail track, continue with a new site access formed off SH1 just south of the current Ōtaki River Bridge. Pavement works continue on the new sections of Old Hautere Road and Ōtaki Gorge Road.
This month we’ll begin preloading works at Mary Crest and south of Te Hāpua Road. Preloading involves applying many layers of material on top of the existing ground surface to squeeze the water out of the peat below. Once the required level of settlement is reached the top layers of preload material are removed and the road pavement is applied.
Looking south across the new Ōtaki River Bridge towards the Old Hautere Link Road.
The Mangaone Stream diversion and new box culvert construction in Te Horo.
