Homes may be in highway path

Letters have been sent to Levin residents who may have properties in the way of the expanding main road from Wellington.

The O¯ taki to north of Levin roading project will connect with the Ka¯ piti expressway on the Wellington Northern Corridor.

The final route, once connected to the Transmission Gully motorway, is expected to take traffic from Wellington to north of Levin without hitting a traffic light or going through any towns.

Although Levin residents want less traffic in their town centre, some are eager to find out if their homes will be in the way of the new highway.

An Arapaepae Rd resident, who did not want to be named, said she received a letter on Monday informing her that her newly purchased property could be used for the roading project.

She and her husband were about to start building a home on the property close to State Highway 57.

The letter did not say how many options were being considered or how likely it was that they would have to give up their property, she said.

The couple have been asked to schedule a meeting with the New Zealand Transport Agency in the next few weeks to discuss the options.

‘‘We are only one of many options from what I understand.’’

Transport agency regional relationships director Emma Speight said it was working closely with impacted communities and residents.

The transport agency would not confirm how many letters were sent to property owners, or how many options and locations were being considered.

After aiming for public consultation at the end of 2017, the second round of public engagement is now scheduled for next month.

NZTA would also not confirm when the announcement of a preferred route was expected, but Horowhenua District Council growth response manager Daniel Haigh said it was understood the decision on a preferred route was expected mid-2018.