Andy GoldieKia ora

Firstly, I want to thank the residents of Ōtaki for their patience and support over Easter weekend. The 24-hour working we undertook during the Easter period called the Block of Line (a period when no trains are running) allowed us to meet a major project milestone by completing track works to enable trains to use the new alignment. This means we can now get on with the business of building Rāhui Road Bridge and then the expressway that will travel underneath it.

We know at times our works can be disruptive to your routine and we really appreciate your tolerance. On behalf of all the team, thank you!

This month we’re running our six-monthly customer satisfaction survey. The information gathered through these surveys help us make sure we’re getting you the right information, in the right way, at the right time.

If you need any further information on the PP2Ō Expressway project please call us on 0800 PP2O INFO or email pp2o@nzta.govt.nz

Ngā mihi
Andy Goldie, Project Manager

Train approaching Ōtaki Station

First train on the new track heading to Ōtaki Station – 22 April 2019.

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Satisfaction survey

This month we’re running our six-monthly customer satisfaction survey. The information gathered through these surveys help us make sure we’re getting you the right information, in the right way, at the right time.

Please take a moment to answer some quick questions which will help us understand your communications preferences and expectations. And, if you’ve got any bright ideas to share with us we’re all ears! We’d love to hear your feedback.

Start the survey(external link)

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Rāhui Road closed – what you need to know

Aerial showing Rāhui Road Bridge works.

Work starting on the eastern abutment of the Rāhui Road Bridge.

Rāhui Road is now closed between BP and the southern County Road intersection for up to seven months. Traffic and pedestrians are being diverted via alternative routes as shown in the graphics below.


Entering County Road, Rāhui Road and Te Roto Road

Northbound traffic

  • turn right onto Waitohu Valley Road
  • right onto Dittmer Street
  • right onto Te Manuao Road
  • left onto SH1, and
  • left into County Road

Southbound traffic

  • turn left onto County Road
  • County Road remains oneway southbound
  • no right turn northbound from SH1

Exiting County Road, Rāhui Road and Te Roto Road

  • travel east up Rāhui Road
  • turn left onto Freemans Road
  • left onto Te Manuao Road
  • turn left or right into SH1

Walking or cycling

Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted north or south via a footpath on County Road, then:

  • north on the existing footpaths, or
  • south on the eastern side of the new bridges on SH1
  • the path on the new bridges will take pedestrians to the signalised lights on SH1, where pedestrians can safely cross east to west

Like the new bridges, this path will go through several phases of construction to complete. The path on the new bridges will continue to pass safely through our construction works.

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Rāhui Road closure and diversions

Ōtaki College digital media students video the diversion route and interview the team to find out what’s happening and what you need to do to get around the works safely on foot, bike or vehicle.

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Construction update

North Zone (north of the Ōtaki River to Taylors Road)

North zone

Looking north across the re-aligned rail-track and Bridges 2 and 3.

Works on the new Waitohu River Bridge (Bridge 1) continue. A temporary 70km/h speed restriction is in place on State Highway 1 between Taylors Road and the outskirts of Ōtaki when we’re operating in this area.

Construction continues on Bridges 2 and 3 (north of the Mill Road roundabout) and the shared pedestrian and cycle path on the eastern side of the bridges is in use and having the finishing touches completed. The temporary speed limit of 30km/h stays in place through this area. Things are changing so it’s really important to slow down, pay extra attention, stick to the speed limit and stop for red lights at the pedestrian crossing.

Trains are now using the new track alignment and we’re working on the eastern abutment of the new Rāhui Road Bridge.  Local road diversions and the temporary closure of Rāhui Road are now in place for up to seven months (covered in detail on the facing page).

The Chrystalls Bend public river walkway on the north bank of the Ōtaki River continues diverting people around our work site. Works on the Ōtaki River Bridge (Bridge 5) may at times increase river flows in the deep channel. Swimmers in this area should pay attention to the warning signs in place and take extra care.

View our gallery for more aerial images of the latest construction works undertaken in the north zone.


South Zone (south of the Ōtaki River to Peka Peka)

Looking south across the Ōtaki River Bridge.

Looking south across the Ōtaki River Bridge.

Work on the new Ōtaki River Bridge (Bridge 5) continues and access to the south bank remains restricted around our works.

Work on Bridges 6 and 7, which will carry Ōtaki Gorge Road over the expressway and the rail track, are progressing well. At the end of April a lane closure will be in place on Ōtaki Gorge Road with stop/go traffic management while we place the final bridge beams, this work will take a couple of days.

The Old Hautere Road intersection with State Highway 1 is now permanently closed and we’re temporarily diverting traffic via Ōtaki Gorge Road. The Old Hautere Link Road will be open to traffic by early June.

Work continues on Bridge 8, the local road over-bridge that will carry traffic, pedestrians and cyclists across the rail-track, expressway and local road (currently SH1) to connect east and west Te Horo. Later in April preparatory works will start on the eastern abutment of Bridge 9, this bridge will carry the expressway over the rail track at Mary Crest.  

The truck crossing point on School Road continues to operate under stop/go along with a speed restriction. This will be in operation for several months.

South of Mary Crest the construction of the local arterial road is progressing well and the 70km/h speed restriction on SH1 will remain in place for the duration of our works.

View our gallery for more aerial images of the latest construction works undertaken in the north zone.

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Revocation and what will happen to State Highway 1 once the PP2Ō Expressway opens

PP2Ō revocation area mapPP2Ō revocation area. View larger image [PDF, 63 KB]

As work on the PP2Ō Expressway continues, the Transport Agency is starting to plan for what will happen to State Highway 1 once the PP2Ō Expressway opens in 2021. It’s a process known as revocation, because it involves the road’s status as a State Highway being revoked. It also involves responsibility for the route being transferred from the Transport Agency to Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Before any of that happens though, work will be done along the route to make it fit for purpose. And as the process is only just starting, the revocation team would like to hear from the community about what features or improvements should be considered along the route.

You may have thoughts on road markings, footpaths, cycle facilities, landscaping, drainage and maintenance, safety improvements, lighting and signage – whatever you’d like to see considered along the route, the revocation team is keen to hear from you.

Throughout May you’ll be able to get information and provide feedback online, and there are public open days on May 11 at Ōtaki Memorial Hall, and May 18 at Te Horo Hall. This is the first in a number of public engagements about revocation work happening over the next 18–24 months. Come along for a chat, find out more about what will be taking place, and let the team know your thoughts.

For more information on the process and how you can get involved, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/pp2o-revocation or email PP2Orevocation@nzta.govt.nz.

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