By 3 News online staff
A new four-lane expressway between Otaki and Levin has been scrapped in favour of repairing existing roads, saving around $300 million.
The current state-highway 2 and 57 setup is plagued with safety issues, dangerous intersections, alignment concerns and bridge problems.
The expressway idea was mooted as a solution but has now been scrapped by the New Zealand Transport Agency due to cost and timeframe issues.
The Agency’s Wellington state highways spokesperson Rod James says a progressive upgrade will be done instead which will address safety concerns quicker than the new road option.
“This is more of a value for money issue. This allows us to build what we need, when we need it over a period into the future,” he says.
The expressway would have stretched from Otaki to Levin and had an estimated price tag of $400 million.
The progressive upgrade option will cost around $100 million and include new passing lanes, median barriers and will realign some bridges. Dangerous intersections will be dealt with as well, Mr James says.
He says the upgraded road will be safer than a new road because the changes will happen quicker.
“There are a lot of people who want us to get on with this as early as possible,” he says.
3 News