Objective
Remove congestion points for through-traffic and improve journey time reliability through the Kapiti Coast growth area, and to improve safety.
Current status of project
The NZTA has now made decision on the final alignment of the expressway. These decisions take into consideration the nearly 500 submissions we received further investigations and design work carried out in 2011. More information on the decisions made and the reasons for those decisions are contained in the project newsletter (PDF, 1.7 MB).
In early 2011 the NZTA consulted Kapiti residents on its proposals on the form, function, and location of interchanges and connections.
The public consultation report was released in September 2011. Feedback was very strong in a number of areas, and the NZTA is now taking the time to investigate some possible refinements to our original designs. Read more about what we've done since the consultation closed.
Your feedback is welcome at any stage. Feel free to contact us.
Timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mid 2012 | We will engage with the community on design details and potential mitigation measures for the expressway. Start preparation of resource management (RMA) applications. |
| Early 2013 | Lodge RMA applications with the Environmental Protection Authority.
The community will be able to make submissions on the applications. |
| 2014 onwards | Engage contractor and start detailed design. |
The preferred route
The Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway will run for approximately 15 kilometres from Peka Peka Road, north of Waikanae, to Taylors Road, north of Otaki.
From Peka Peka Road the expressway will follow the current state highway on the western side of the railway line to cross a railway overbridge just north of Sutton Road. The expressway will then run along the eastern side of the railway line.
A bridge over the expressway at Te Horo Beach Road and at Otaki Gorge Road will link eastern and western Te Horo. Local roads will link to each other via the old state highway and new or upgraded local roads. Local roads will connect to the expressway at Peka Peka interchange, Otaki Gorge Road, and North Otaki.
The expressway will cross the Otaki River on a new bridge to the east of the railway bridge. North of the river, the expressway will continue east of the railway lines, avoiding the railway retail area and current roundabout.
The railway line will be shifted through Otaki so the expressway can pass under the existing state highway in the vicinity of the current rail overbridge to the north of the state highway roundabout. It will then cut across rural land with a new bridge over the Waitohu Stream bypassing the wide bend that leads into Otaki. The expressway will connect with the existing state highway north of Otaki before Taylors Road.
Why the preferred route?
The preferred route was chosen because:
- This route bypasses the majority of Otaki reducing the potential barrier between Otaki township and the Otaki community to the west.
- The route uses the existing highway as a parallel road and efficiently separates through and local traffic allowing safer and more efficient traffic movements.
- The environmental effects of traffic on the developed areas along the highway are also reduced.
Features
The project has a number of key features:
- an overbridge at Te Horo to link School Road and Gear Road with Te Horo Beach Road. Originally an interchange was included at Te Horo but this was removed due to the limited benefit it would provide
- an overpass just north of Otaki allowing the old SH1 to pass over the expressway and railway
- Otaki railway realignment
- A vehicle overbridge at Rahui Road crossing the expressway and the railway line
- four-lane Otaki River bridge to be located east of the Otaki River rail bridge.
The proposed access arrangement to and from the expressway for Otaki includes providing south-facing ramps to the south of Otaki (at Otaki Gorge Road) and north-facing ramps to the north of Otaki to provide ease of access in and out of Otaki.
How will road users benefit?
The four-lane expressway will deliver a wide range of benefits:
- road safety in the Kapiti District will be greatly improved due to the separation of local and highway traffic
- the relief of severe congestion points through Otaki
- improved access to Wellington's port, CBD, interisland ferry terminals, airport and hospital
- more reliable journey times
- more efficient movement of increasing freight volumes
- economic productivity and growth in the area will be assisted by efficient people and freight movements.
Cost
The estimated cost is $251 million.
Parcels of potentially affected land
150 - 200
History
Work began to determine the most effective route for an expressway between Waikanae and Himatangi in 1998. In 2002 a scheme assessment report was completed to review and develop options for State Highway 1 between Peka Peka Road, north of Waikanae, and Taylors Road, north of Otaki. The community was consulted on four route options north of the Otaki River (western, central, railway and eastern) and two south of the river (east and west of the railway line) before the then Transit Board decided on the improved eastern route. In 2009 a revision of the 2002 plan added an overbridge at Te Horo and an underpass at Otaki Gorge Road to connect local roads to the expressway.
