Why an expressway is needed in Kapiti
The Kapiti Coast is one of the fastest growing districts in New Zealand, growing nearly 10% in five years to a population of 46,000 in 2006. Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae have become key commuter towns for Wellington. The high volume of traffic means the Kapiti highway operates beyond its capacity and can become severely congested at peak times.
The pressure on the local roads and State Highway 1 is such that the Kapiti Coast District Council has restricted some developments until road conditions are improved.
The NZTA is developing the expressway so efficient access to and from the local road network is also ensured. This is a challenging task on the Kapiti Coast where an effective, parallel local road network does not exist.
The proposed expressway will depart from the current state highway in some places and, where this happens, the current highway will become a local access road. Local supporting roads that provide improved access for communities away from the highway are also an important component of the NZTA's investigations.
Project history
Four route options were initially considered:
- Current SH1 alignment option: Four-laning SH1 on its current route. This option was rejected early because the current alignment has too many curves, and providing access to all the properties along the route would be costly and challenging. The plan did not improve local traffic options.
- Western option: SH1 Expressway avoiding Waikanae town centre with local supporting roads. This was rejected as it offers fewer compelling benefits than the following two options.
- Eastern option: SH1 Expressway following rail corridor with local supporting roads. This option was seriously considered however the benefits it would bring did not outweigh the greater cost and land requirement.
- Western Link Road (Sandhills) option: SH1 Expressway following the Western Link Road Corridor. This route was chosen as the preferred route because it best balances the needs of the Kapiti community with those of the Wellington region and the country as a whole.
June 2010
December 2009
The Western Link Road (Sandhills) option is chosen as the preferred route by the NZTA.
August - October 2009
Consultation was undertaken to obtain feedback on three route options. This included letters, brochures, meetings, media, website, open days and an 0800 phone line. The consultation identified the Western Link Road (Sandhills) option as the preferred route.
- MacKays to Peka Peka Community Engagement Report 2009 (PDF, 442 KB)
March 2009
Transport Minister Steven Joyce announces the seven roads of national significance, including the Wellington Northern Corridor, and plans to substantially complete these projects in the next 10 years.
Early 1990s
Various studies and discussions take place about whether the Western Link Road route should become state highway or a local arterial road. It is decided the route will be used to provide a local arterial route – however, due to land requirement issues and funding limitations, the project was not progressed further than the design phase.
1954
Centre line alignment for a Wellington to Foxton motorway declared by the then Ministry of Works.
