General questions
Why do we need an expressway in Kapiti?
The Kapiti expressway is part of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance between Levin and Wellington Airport. The Government's priority for roads of national significance is that they support New Zealand's economic growth. Currently vehicles on SH1 between MacKays Crossing and Otaki face delays in Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Otaki. By creating an expressway, journeys will be faster and safer, and will contribute to economic growth.
What is a road of national significance?
This is part of the Government's approach to prioritising the upgrade of seven major highway areas so they can make a better contribution to New Zealand's economic growth. These are called roads of national significance (RoNS). The Government's prioritisation provides a committed investment of $10.7 billion over 10 years for RoNS and other state highway projects. The seven highway areas are: Wellington Northern Corridor SH1, Puhoi to Wellsford SH1, Completing the Western Ring Route SH16 and SH20, Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland SH1, Waikato Expressway SH1, Tauranga Eastern Link SH2 and Christchurch Motorways.
How does the Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway relate to the rest of the RoNS projects?
The Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway forms part of the Wellington Northern Corridor from Levin to Wellington Airport. Further development of the Wellington Northern Corridor is being progressed and includes projects already highlighted by the Regional Transport Committee and NZTA for investigation, design or construction. The aim is to substantially advance this and the other six RoNS across the country in the next 10 years to improve New Zealand's productivity and economic growth.
What is an expressway?
Expressways are dual carriageways that allow motorists to drive at speeds of up to 100km/h. They are designed to be straighter and flatter than other roads. For safety reasons, traffic in each direction is separated by a central barrier or strip of land. A four-lane expressway allows for higher volumes of through traffic than can be accommodated by a two-lane road. Providing two lanes in each direction also allows fast-moving traffic to overtake slower-moving vehicles. Access from local roads to the expressway is restricted to reduce the risk of crashes and allow more consistent travel times. Where access is provided, this usually takes the form of an interchange.
What is an interchange?
Interchanges are junctions with off-ramps and on-ramps. Off-ramps link to local roads and on-ramps allow local traffic to merge with expressway traffic heading in the same direction. Interchanges always include a bridge or underpass to cater for right-turning traffic.
How do expressways cater for pedestrians and cyclists?
For safety reasons, pedestrians and cyclists are normally not encouraged to use expressways. Often, dedicated cycling/walking paths are created instead, where needed. As part of the planning process for the Peka Peka to Otaki and MacKays to Peka Peka expressways, the NZTA will take the needs of pedestrians and cyclists into account during the detailed design.
How does the NZTA deal with issues such as noise, vibration and light pollution?
There are a number of standards and guidelines the project team must follow to ensure issues such as noise, vibration and light pollution are mitigated to an acceptable level.
The next stage of the project is to undertake further design work and identify how we might mitigate any potential environmental impacts of the expressway. This will include ways to address the effects of noise, visual appearance, stormwater and flooding, as well as impacts on culture, heritage and urban design. We’ll be presenting those proposals for feedback in the middle of 2012.
How does NZTA communicate with affected community groups and iwi?
The NZTA will place emphasis on building up relationships with iwi and community groups and keep them informed about the project. We at all times, seek support, understanding, co-operation and assistance with all our projects. We are also committed to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and abide by our statutory responsibilities under the Land Transport Management Act and Resource Management Act to consult with iwi on all appropriate matters.
Why do we need to revisit the Peka Peka to Otaki work?
The 2002–2003 consultations on the Peka Peka to Otaki north highway considered four alignment options north of the Otaki River and two south of the river before deciding on the preferred eastern route. With the southern section from MacKays to Peka Peka being reconsidered in terms of the Government's RoNS initiative for Levin to Wellington Airport, the connection at Peka Peka needs to be considered in terms of which southern option is chosen. Also, as it has been some time since consultation was held on this option, the NZTA wanted to confer with residents that may not have lived in the area for long what their thoughts were, and check with others if their thoughts had changed on the preferred option.
What is the history of the Peka Peka to Otaki route?
Work was undertaken to determine the most appropriate route and development options for SH1 between Himatangi and Waikanae in 1998. By the end of 2002, work had been undertaken to consider potential changes to the section of SH1 from Peka Peka Road to north of Otaki. This was split into three key issues - Otaki Bypass, south of Otaki to Te Horo, and south of Te Horo to Peka Peka Road. Project documents are available.
What was the objective of the previous work on Peka Peka to Otaki?
The 2002 work considering the north of Otaki to Peka Peka Road aimed to "provide a safe and efficient state highway to meet traffic and safety needs". To do this a four-lane expressway was needed, separated by a central median barrier with limited direct property access to the highway. The end result would separate local and through traffic from one another and use the existing state highway as much as possible, but better positioned.
What options did the previous work on Peka Peka to Otaki consider?
Four options were considered for the Otaki Bypass (western, central, railway and eastern alignments) with the eastern alignment being the preferred option as it reduced the severance between Otaki township and the Otaki community to the west. For Peka Peka to Otaki River, two options were examined (western and eastern alignments) with the eastern again being selected as it didn't require the relocation or demolition of existing businesses along the highway, tied in better with the preferred eastern option north of Otaki River and would reduce the traffic-induced environmental effects at the denser developed areas along the existing state highway.
What has changed since the previous consultation?
Now that we are also developing an expressway from MacKays to Peka Peka it was logical to consider how the existing scheme for the road north of Waikanae fits with that project. As a result some minor changes have been made – the alignment of the road remains the same, but an interchange at Te Horo is no longer included as it wasn't required. An overbridge at Te Horo Beach Road and an overbridge at Otaki Gorge Road have taken its place while a partial interchange is planned for Peka Peka. In addition, a bridge will be build at Rahui Road for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
What are the benefits of improving this section of highway?
The Otaki bypass will reduce congestion and the community's exposure to traffic noise, separate highway and local traffic in Otaki efficiently and use the existing Otaki River Bridge as a local road. The benefits of improving the Peka Peka to Otaki River sections of SH1 are that it provides safe cross-corridor access for local travel, uses the existing highway as a parallel road and reduces traffic-induced environmental effects. Holiday and peak hour queues in Otaki would be reduced. The Otaki Railway retail area, which continues to flourish, would also not be at cross purposes between being a destination for local traffic and a through road for business, travellers and freight.
Why was the preferred route chosen?
The eastern alignment was chosen for the Otaki bypass and Peka Peka to Otaki River sections of the highway because, compared to other options, it minimised the impact on local businesses along the existing highway. This route bypasses the majority of Otaki reducing the potential barrier between Otaki township and the Otaki community to the west.
What impact will this proposal have on businesses in Otaki?
Our expectation is that by building the Otaki bypass the township itself will become a destination rather than a through road. Eliminating the conflict between state highway and local traffic that consistently leads to congestion at holiday periods through Otaki will allow the area to be developed into a place that people choose to visit rather than object to being stuck at. Local businesses, like the factory outlet stores, will be more appealing if they are not perceived as being difficult to access, leading to further development of the township and improved business prospects. Interchanges and off-ramps will be developed to allow easy access to and from the Otaki Railway retail area.
What happens to the current state highway when an expressway has been built?
It will revert to a local road which the Kapiti Coast District Council will operate and maintain. The NZTA will consult with the council about this change to determine future maintenance, handover, emergency re-routing and other issues and seek their agreement.
It also uses the existing highway as a parallel road and efficiently separates highway and local traffic. It will also reduce the environmental effects of traffic on the developed areas along the highway.
How much will this cost?
The approximate cost of the expressway is $251 million.
When is construction likely to start?
Once the necessary resource management approvals have been gained we will engage contractors and start the detailed design.
When will this project be finished?
Construction is expected to take approximately four years. This timing may change as the project develops.
How will I be affected during construction?
NZTA will work with contractors and consultants to effectively stage the works and ensure a good level of service is provided during the construction phase of the project. As most of the development is off the existing SH1 construction will have little impact on the route from Peka Peka to north of Otaki. Access will be provided to all properties and local roads along the designation via newly constructed local roads or temporary access ways.
For landowners
What are my rights as a landowner?
The Public Works Act 1981 governs all land acquisitions for Crown agencies and all transactions are guided by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). The Landowner's rights booklet produced by LINZ provides information on landowner rights during public works. Under the Act, the NZTA is obligated to act fairly in dealings with affected landowners.
When will the NZTA advise me if my property is required or likely to be required for the expressway?
Property owners whose land may be required are being contacted in the week prior to the public consultation. The land expected to be required for the expressway has been identified and property owners contacted. If you have any property queries related to the expressway please contact us.
What are Land Requirement Plans?
Land Requirement Plans show dimensions on an aerial map and confirm the extent of land required for public works. These plans are usually confirmed once RMA consents have been approved and a designation is in place.
Will NZTA be buying my house?
Until firm Land Requirement Plans have been developed NZTA cannot confirm the extent to which individual properties will be affected. When these are finalised NZTA will contact you with its requirements.
I am thinking about selling my property. Where can I get more information and what should I tell prospective buyers?
If you wish to privately sell your property it is important you read the information provided on the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) website, and understand the principles outlined in the landowner rights booklet produced by LINZ. NZTA advises that prospective buyers be informed of any consultation or communication that have been had with NZTA.
What if I lose access to my property? How will NZTA address this issue?
Where loss of access occurs the NZTA is required to provide access to the roading network by alternate means.
How will NZTA communicate with landowners on these issues?
NZTA will speak directly with property owners, affected residents, local authorities and other key stakeholder groups on the project. The Agency will work with the local community and provide opportunities for people to access information, discuss their concerns and provide us with feedback.
