Kapiti Expressway update
Last week marked the one year anniversary of construction starting on the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway.
It was great to have the Transport Minister Simon Bridges visit the site. We were both impressed with the incredible progress that has been made in such a short amount of time.
I’m a regular visitor onto the $630million Expressway and the construction teams are doing a fantastic job.
There are 18 Bridges being built along the 18km route. The Waikanae Bridge is making great progress and has 8 massive piles that are 34 metres deep and designed to withstand decent earthquakes.
There are many environmental and community positives with the Expressway. Up to 1.5 million plants are being planted and for every hectare of wetland lost or modified during construction, 5 hectares will be created. We also saw the start of the 18km dedicated cycling, bridle and walkway.
The benefits of this project are huge for our region. Nearly 500 jobs have been added so far, which will grow to 600 next year. They are still hiring – crane operators, truck drivers, pavement experts, carpenters, pre cast concrete workers and traffic controllers. More than 60 professionals have moved into Kapiti to work on the Expressway. Over $110 million in orders of construction materials have been placed with many local businesses, which is helping stimulate our regional growth.
Employment and training continues to grow. Many locals are being employed to work in a job they can have real pride in, on their own front door step. Training initiatives have been established to recruit local graduates to help meet project demand for skilled labour.
The Expressway is on track to be completed by 2017, which is great news for our region.
Lastly, I had the privilege of welcoming the new $25,000 Inflatable Rescue Boat the Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club won in a competition hosted by BP. The Club is in great heart and helping to keep the Ōtaki Community safe this summer. Well done team.
I’m a regular visitor onto the $630million Expressway and the construction teams are doing a fantastic job.
There are 18 Bridges being built along the 18km route. The Waikanae Bridge is making great progress and has 8 massive piles that are 34 metres deep and designed to withstand decent earthquakes.
There are many environmental and community positives with the Expressway. Up to 1.5 million plants are being planted and for every hectare of wetland lost or modified during construction, 5 hectares will be created. We also saw the start of the 18km dedicated cycling, bridle and walkway.
The benefits of this project are huge for our region. Nearly 500 jobs have been added so far, which will grow to 600 next year. They are still hiring – crane operators, truck drivers, pavement experts, carpenters, pre cast concrete workers and traffic controllers. More than 60 professionals have moved into Kapiti to work on the Expressway. Over $110 million in orders of construction materials have been placed with many local businesses, which is helping stimulate our regional growth.
Employment and training continues to grow. Many locals are being employed to work in a job they can have real pride in, on their own front door step. Training initiatives have been established to recruit local graduates to help meet project demand for skilled labour.
The Expressway is on track to be completed by 2017, which is great news for our region.
Lastly, I had the privilege of welcoming the new $25,000 Inflatable Rescue Boat the Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club won in a competition hosted by BP. The Club is in great heart and helping to keep the Ōtaki Community safe this summer. Well done team.