Road freight industry group Transporting New Zealand has welcomed today’s announcement that construction has begun on the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway (Ō2NL).
The announcement comes just days after confirmation from Transport Minister Chris Bishop that construction on the Melling interchange in Lower Hutt has commenced.
“This is great news for the Lower North Island and for New Zealand as a whole,” says Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih.
“Recently an Infrastructure New Zealand report revealed that other major transport projects in the Wellington region – Transmission Gully and the Kāpiti Expressway – are already saving people time and money while reducing deaths and serious injuries.
“Quality roads unlock economic productivity. Transmission Gully, the Mackays to Peka Peka and Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressways saved society $173 million dollars last year. These benefits are felt by the public, by freight operators and emergency services,” Kalasih said.
According to Minister Bishop’s announcement, the new expressway is expected to be complete by end of 2029 and will save users up to 15 minutes of travel time. Completion of the Ō2NL will mean the entire Wellington to Horowhenua route will have been upgraded to a world-class road standard.
Transporting New Zealand say upgrading this network is crucial given the region is expected to grow by 200,000 more people and 99,000 homes over the next 25 years.
While the industry group are pleased with that Ō2NL is moving forward, Kalasih cautioned that NZTA must ensure value for money as the project’s cost estimate has more than doubled since 2020.
For more information please contact:
Dom Kalasih, Chief Executive Officer on 027 441 4309 or email Dom@transporting.nz
