Expressway delivers much-needed second north-south connection

The Mackays to Peka Peka section of the Expressway opened to traffic in the early hours of Friday morning and many Kāpiti Coast residents have embraced the opportunity to experience the first section of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance.

Kāpiti Coast District Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow says it’s been a long, and at times difficult journey for the Kapiti Coast community, but we now have a much needed second north-south connection which will improve our resilience to weather events and traffic accidents and enhance connections within our district.

“For Kapiti residents that regularly commute to and from Wellington the shorter and more reliable journey is a welcome addition to the Kapiti Coast, but for others who live in close proximity to the Expressway coming to terms with the noise and environmental impacts imposed by the Expressway will take some time,” she said.

The Council has fought hard throughout the design and construction of the Expressway to advocate for and on behalf of the community for measures such as noise walls, bunds and significant areas of planting to minimise the noise and visual impacts of the Expressway and the 16 km off-road cycleway, walkway and bridleway.

The Deputy Mayor said it hasn’t been an easy road but the strength of the Council’s relationship with the NZ Transport Agency and the Alliance has meant that the Council has been able to lobby on behalf of community for mitigations and environmental enhancements that will benefit the district for years to come.

“We acknowledge that it will take some time for people to get used to the Expressway and changes to traffic patterns and volumes on our local roads but on the flip side our community has gained a valuable roading asset that will make for safer and more reliable journeys and deliver significant economic benefit.”

As attention moves to the Peka Peka to Otaki section of the Kāpiti Expressway the Council is continuing to work collaboratively with the NZ Transport Agency and its partners to ensure this section of highway is of equal quality and positively contributes to the community district’s wellbeing.

“The journey’s not over yet and we have a lot of work to do to ensure the Peka Peka to Ōtaki section delivers for our community,” the Deputy Mayor says. 

24 February 2017