SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements

Project overview

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is improving the safety of State Highway 1 from Levin to Foxton while we work to deliver the new highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin. We want people to be safe moving between sections of new and existing highway.

Ōtaki to north of Levin (O2NL)

Between 2018 and 2022, there were 122 crashes on this stretch of road which resulted in five people dying and 20 being seriously injured.

We have been working with our iwi partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community to plan how we can improve safety along this route and are considering their feedback as we finalise the design for the safety improvements.

Infrastructure improvements

Infrastructure safety improvements planned for this stretch of road include a roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barriers and new turning areas.

The safety improvements will be constructed in stages. Funding has been allocated for construction of safety improvements north of the Manawatū River Bridge, with construction of the improvements expected to begin in mid-2023. Construction of the improvements south of the bridge is expected to start in late 2023, subject to funding approval.

Speed review

Waka Kotahi has proposed that a variable speed limit of 60km/h is implemented outside Poroutawhao School as part of the nationwide Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP).

We aiming to implement at least 40% or between 80-120 of our proposed school speed limit changes by 30 June 2024, and have all school speed limit changes implemented by the end of 2027.

Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan(external link)

The speed limits along the rest of the route will be reviewed in the future.

Draft design map

View larger map [PDF, 2.2 MB]