Roading progress
As I mentioned a few weeks ago in this column, its all go on the local roading front with the Road of National significance from Wellington to Levin taking shape.
On Saturday I attended the NZTA open day on the Peka Peka to Otaki expressway, and it was good to hear people’s views. Around 260 people turned up to the Otaki Memorial Hall and another expo day is planned for Te Horo hall this Thursday 17 February.
Most people I talked to were generally supportive. Some had some good local ideas that were passed onto the project designers for their consideration.
We all know how bad traffic can get on weekends and public holidays on SH1 through Otaki, and for this reason the design involves a bypass around Otaki.
Some people have expressed concern this will reduce the number of shoppers coming to visit, but the interchanges should provide ideal access. I believe the retail sector in Otaki is so successful that it’s now a destination in its own right.
A number of detailed options for the route are up for consultation, and submissions close on Friday 18 March 2011. You can find more information and make submissions through the NZTA website www.nzta.govt.nz.
Further south, NZTA has received over 1600 submissions on the Kapiti expressway.
As in Te Horo and Otaki I sympathise with people whose homes or properties will be affected, and I will support them through the development process.
Nearly everyone I talk to though agrees that our roads need improvement and that we need to get on and do something. The original two-lane western link road would have only been a temporary solution for about 10 years until traffic snarled up again.
Four interchanges and a new bridge over the Waikanae River will be very important for local access, and of course it will link up with Transmission Gully meaning better access to Wellington.
In other transport news, this Saturday also sees the official opening of the refurbished Waikanae and Paraparaumu train stations, with new services beginning next week. This is great news for commuters – more reliable services, better access and new trains are on their way.