Highway route mystery remains
A decision on the route of the new O¯ taki to north of Levin highway can’t come soon enough for Horowhenua residents ‘‘in limbo’’ on whether they will have to give up their homes.
The new state highway was given the green light on Wednesday, ending a year of speculation about whether it would go ahead. A preferred route is yet to be decided, however, leaving many people uncertain about whether their properties will have to make way for the new road.
The two-lane 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 traffic congestion.
The potential new routes run east of Manakau, O¯ hau and Levin. The decision was welcomed by the Horowhenua and Ka¯ piti councils but O¯ taki National MP Nathan Guy said he was disappointed for the residents sitting in limbo.
It is believed a decision on a preferred route will be made by December. Arapaepae Rd resident Mike Kean lives in the affected area and he has been notified of the project’s confirmation but still has no idea of when anything else would happen.
‘‘We don’t know the route. ‘‘When it happens is academic if we don’t know the route. Until they confirm where the route is, we’re still just sitting in limbo.
‘‘Knowing, and knowing the time if we are affected, would be a great help.’’
Robin Horne, who also lives on Arapaepae Rd, was keen for a route to be locked in.
‘‘If they’re going to chuck us out, we don’t know.’’
Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen was pleased to see an emphasis on improving safety.
‘‘We have had steps forward as opposed to going back.
‘‘The big thing for me is the amount of angst it causes people who still have to wait for further information.’’ He is delighted about the potential use of rail and public transport.
Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton welcomed the safety improvements and said the highway could be extended to four lanes if needed in the future.
‘‘It’s not utopia but we’re really pleased with the outcome.’’
Guy said something needed to be done to fix congestion and future-proof the region’s growth.