Biggest Roading Programmes in the Region's History
Last week the National Government announced one of the biggest roading programmes in the region’s history. A massive $2.2 billion dollar investment from Levin to Wellington airport. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Board announced their plans to build Transmission Gully and to develop a four lane expressway through the Sandhills corridor in Kapiti.
Making a decision on the Kapiti SH1 upgrade was never going to be easy for the NZTA board with thousands of submissions and many different views. I’m glad we finally have some certainty. Most people say to me “just get on and do something” and that’s exactly what we are doing.
No matter which option was chosen there was always going to be some people disappointed, but I believe the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
The Sandhills corridor (or Western Link as it is commonly known) impacts on the least number of homes. It’s cost effective and avoids major disruption to the Waikanae and Paraparaumu town centres, which will allow both towns’ shopping centres to further develop.
The existing state highway will revert to a local road with plenty of opportunities for the future.
My priority is to now support the community through the design phase to ensure we get the interchanges in the right places and connect our communities. I’ll be working hard to make sure Kapiti’s interests are heard.
Transmission Gully is fantastic news. I think a lot of people had given up on ever seeing it happen, but it’s been a big priority for me over the years and I’m delighted it’s now going to happen.
During the last election campaign I promised to fight to get Transmission Gully built and I’m proud to have delivered on that pledge. In 2006 I gathered over 5000 signatures on a petition calling for the Gully to be built, so I knew it had strong community support.
The previous Labour government waffled for nearly a decade but never believed in Transmission Gully. They offered only 40% of the funding, leaving the region to fund the rest, which was never going to happen.
The alternative expressway around Otaki will help remove the worst ‘choke point’ in the lower North Island. The Otaki shopping strip has been so successful in recent years that it will continue to be a destination of choice for shoppers.
Any Levin bypass proposals need further work before they are ready for community consultation.
Together, these developments will open Kapiti and Horowhenua to strategic growth. It will mean safer roads, quicker journeys and a real boost to the regional economy. We finally have a strategic vision for the whole corridor from Levin to Wellington.
Early reports I’ve seen show a saving of 30 minutes travel time from Levin to Wellington once the corridor is fully completed which is fantastic for the Horowhenua.
I’m proud to be a part of a government with the guts and vision to finally get this done.