Lights for Otaki to Levin highway finally turn green

A new state highway between O¯ taki and north of Levin has been given the green light, ending a year of speculation about whether it would go ahead.

The highway, which is expected to cost more than $100 million, will form the third and final section of a new state highway route north of Wellington designed to improve resilience and ease congestion.

Ka¯piti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan said the road would have huge benefits for the region.

‘‘Having a second north-south road connection between O¯ taki and Levin that connects with the Ka¯ piti expressways will not only reduce travel times but it will improve our district’s, and the region’s, resilience.’’

Plans for the road, developed by the previous National government, were put on hold while the current Labour-led Government reviewed the proposal.

The NZ Transport Agency said yesterday that the road, which would have median and side barriers and wide shoulders, met its safety thresholds and could go ahead as planned.

NZTA regional relationships director Emma Speight said the new two-lane highway would coexist with the existing SH1 route, and could be extended to four lanes if there was demand.

It will connect to the south with the Peka Peka to O¯ taki highway, which is under construction, and the recently opened Ka¯ piti expressway between Mackays and Peka Peka.

A preferred route would be decided by the end of the year, Speight said.

O¯ taki MP Nathan Guy said the continued delays would be ‘‘souldestroying’’ for families.

‘‘It’s disappointing there’s no construction date given, or confirmed funding, but not surprising given this coalition Government has raided $5 billion of new road funding to finance Auckland trams.’’