SH1 Ōtaki to Ohau

Project introduction

Safety improvements on State Highway 1 (SH1) from the new Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway to Ohau include stretches of edge and median barriers, wider centrelines and turnarounds. Plus, we’ve changed the speed limits from south of Manakau to north of Ohau.

Project type

Safety improvements, Speed review
Project status

Construction

Project updates

SH1 Ōtaki to Levin safety improvements and speed engagement report 2021

Public engagement, 31 October 2021 (PDF)

Locals asked to have their say on SH1 Ōtaki to Levin improvements

Media release, 14 July 2021

SH1 south of Levin safety improvements brochure

Public engagement, 14 July 2021 (PDF)

December 2022 update

In July 2021, we shared proposals for safety improvements on State Highway 1 between Ōtaki and Levin. In the time since, we have continued to refine the proposed designs while also delivering early safety improvement infrastructure between Manakau and Ohau, completed earlier this year.

At engagement, we presented plans for stretches of median barriers, painted wide centrelines, side barriers and a roundabout at the SH1/SH57 intersection.

As with all Waka Kotahi projects, we have conducted thorough reviews of our plans on SH1 before we move into construction. This is to ensure we get the best safety improvements possible within the scope of each project.

Following community and stakeholder feedback and these technical reviews, we've identified a number of areas where changes to the design needed to be made to make the road as safe as possible. This includes changes to the 'southern turnaround' location and additional stretches of median barrier between Manakau and Ohau. The SH1/SH57 roundabout is also no longer included in this safety improvements project.

This safety improvement package includes:

Wire-rope centreline barriers from the end of the new Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway, with three turnaround areas:
- Gleeson Road
- South of Pukehou Rail Overbridge
- North of the new PP2Ō Expressway
Wire-rope centreline barriers in some sections north of Manakau
Improving curves by reshaping the road camber in unsafe locations.
Side barriers to protect from roadside hazards
Improving the driveway entrance to Wehi Wehi Marae

We are currently working out a timeline with a contractor for the construction of the proposed safety improvements on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin. We expect to be on site in early 2023.

Project map

View large map [JPG, 59 KB]

Early improvements package – Kuku section – December 2021

In December 2021, work started on an early safety improvements package on SH1 between Manakau and Ohau. This included resurfacing the road and changing the line markings between Tatum Park conference centre and Ohau Rail Overbridge as well as:

Permanently removing the passing lanes in both directions. The short length of the northbound passing lane and right turn bay at the end of the southbound passing lane was putting people at risk.
Providing a painted wide centreline. To create greater separation between vehicles travelling in opposite directions
Providing wider road shoulders. To provide places where slower vehicles can pull aside to let others pass.
Improving the road surface. To improve the grip of the road for vehicle tyres.

We also added safe hit posts (flexible marker posts) to the centreline of the road in some places. These help make the road lanes clearer to drivers by providing an additional visual cue on the centreline. These were placed to avoid impacting places where people need to turn across the centre line into driveways.

The construction of these safety improvements was completed in March 2022.

Safe speeds

In December 2022, we rolled out safer speed limits on State Highway 1 between Manakau and Ohau. A temporary speed limit of 80km/h had already been in place in 2022 at Kuku.

We engaged with the public and stakeholders in 2021 and held formal consultation on the proposed speeds in June/July 2022.

Formal consultation, along with technical assessments helped to determine safe and appropriate speeds for these roads. We reviewed the speeds that people were currently travelling at, the nature and design of the road itself, as well as the various infrastructure improvements planned, under construction and completed on these roads.

We also considered the future use of these roads with the upcoming completion of the Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway.

Our speeds really matter. They can make a substantial difference to creating safe and sustainable communities. By adopting safe speeds on our roads and streets, we can help everyone get around safely, no matter how they travel.

View the full list of speed limit changes, as well as map:
Horowhenua safe speeds

Current speeds in the area under review

Location	Existing speed limit (km/h)	New speed limit (km/h)
From 150m south of Muhunoa East Road to 150m north of Waikawa Beach Road	100km/h	80km/h
From 180m south of the intersection with the railway underpass road linking to Honi Taipua Street to 380m west of Pukehou Overbridge	100km/h	80km/h

View larger map [JPG, 142 KB]

SH1 south of Levin community engagement

We sought feedback in July and August 2021 on the proposed safety improvements on SH1 between Taylors Road and the SH57 intersection. These improvements will make the corridor safer in the meantime, while work progresses to deliver the new Ōtaki to north of Levin highway within the next decade.

We asked your thoughts on the current speed limits on SH1, between Taylors Road and Kawiu Road. This feedback will help us determine if a speed limit change will improve safety.

You can still view what others had to say on our interactive map:

View online feedback(external link)

An enagement summary is available for viewing:

SH1 Ōtaki to Levin safety improvements and speed engagement report [PDF, 10 MB]

Online services