Expressway future not affected by plan

“No need to worry about the future of the expressway,” said Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton on the weekend.

This in response to the release of the National Land Transport Programme for 2018-21 by Transport Minister Phil Twyford on Friday.

The expressway is still mentioned on the NZTA website as part of the¯ Wellington northern corridor, Otaki to North of Levin (and is marked as being under re-evaluation) under other key projects in the Wanganui-Manawatu¯ region at the NZTA website.

“In the confusion of the communications released recently some people assumed that the O¯ taki to North of Levin (O2NL) project was not proceeding.

“That is not the case,” said Clapperton. He said NZTA’s staff had confirmed this to him.

“We believe that pre-existing projects are being carried over the line so won’t necessarily get any treatment in the documentation. The theme throughout the document is a proliferation of minor and medium projects.

“Don’t be put off by big project names like HB Expressway, Waihi to Tauranga State Highway. In reality the proposals are for safety works along the route. Not anything large and new.

“Our key milestone over the next couple of years is a designation. Not a build. There will be a new NLTP by the time we get near build.

“We remain confident our strategy of working with NZTA to get a high priority is the correct one. That priority will support a designation.

“Whilst the uncertainty for our community is still there we need to continue our proactive, collaborative approach to advancing the O2NL project within the NZTA re-evaluation framework.”

Anyone who is considering buying a property to the east of Levin needs to query the real estate agent in question about the proposed expressway corridors, and get a LIM report from the council that will disclose the possibility of an expressway happing through or near the property.

Anyone who buys a LIM report from the council, something you should get when buying any property, is advised to consult with the NZ Transport Agency regarding any queries relating to state highways (existing or proposed).

A LIM report also includes approved future developments. Any structure plans in or in the vicinity of the property on the LIM are also added to give an idea of possible developments.

‘Don’t

be put off by big project names like HB Expressway, Waihi to Tauranga State Highway. In reality the proposals are for safety works along the route. Not anything large and new.