Good Progress on local Transport
Good news last week with NZTA calling for tenders to develop the Peka Peka to Otaki section of the expressway.
It’s great to see things are moving quickly. This new section will include a new four lane expressway including a new bridge over the Otaki river and a bypass of the retail strip.
The physical work includes earthworks, pavement construction, drainage, road surfacing and landscaping.
As everyone in our region knows, Otaki is one of the worst choke points in the lower North Island during weekends and public holidays. Traffic can back up all the way to Levin and down south, causing real frustration for motorists.
It also has an impact on the economy, because any delays cost time and money. Poor roads mean poor productivity.
As MP for Otaki I’m looking forward to working with NZTA and the community on this project, in particular to make sure the interchanges allow retail shoppers and locals to easily access the expressway.
I believe that Otaki has now become a very successful retail destination and shoppers will continue to visit with their credit cards.
This section is an important part of the expressway from Levin to Wellington airport. The government has identified it as a road of national significance with over $2 billion in funding committed, including Transmission Gully.
On top of the economic and social gains, the finished road will mean safer journeys and fewer tragedies on our roads.
I’m looking forward to the announcement of the successful bid for the other Kapiti section of the expressway soon with the McKays Crossing to Peka Peka section.
Good news for rail too, with construction starting on improvements to Paraparaumu and Waikanae stations this month.
At Paraparaumu a second platform will be built on the other side of the tracks, and an underpass will connect the existing road subway with the new platform.
In Waikanae a new 200 metre long platform will be built. A second car park will be created to the east of the tracks, with a new pedestrian level crossing connecting it to the new station.