ROAD | Kapiti Expressway

[KLK]

Originally Posted by mathlete

I think they look at a 10yr timeframe for instance but of course if you build these 2 roads they'll be benefitial for at least 50-100yrs.

They use longer than 10yrs (30?) but I am (almost) willing to bet that if you look close enough at the analysis, they expect the potential time savings will have evaporated in 10yrs. Which is why the BCR is so poor. All that money, and no long-term benefits (or not enough to cover the expense).

[nzkiwi]

Looks like the ball is starting to roll. I can't wait for this road ....

Expressway renters given notice

A group of Waikanae's renters have 90 days to vacate their homes, with preparation work set to begin for the fourlane expressway.

The move comes as an independent Board of Inquiry confirmed all consents and the zoning for the at-least $630 million Mackay's to Peka Peka section of the expressway.

A draft decision was announced in March from the board of inquiry chaired by retired High Court judge Sir John Hansen - final confirmation came on Friday.

A week earlier residents in eight Te Moana Rd homes and six Puriri Rd homes were sent letters giving them 90 days notice to leave their NZ Transport Agency-owned properties.

The agency bought the homes in the path of the planned road, and was renting them out before work begins.

Agency spokesman Anthony Frith said the land is needed for work to begin in August on relocating the gas main running under what will become the expressway.

"Preparatory work is expected to begin from July onwards, and the physical work is expected to take place from around January to June next year."

Mr Frith said there have also been 90-day notices given to three "license properties" on Te Moana Rd.

"These are essentially bits of land owned by NZTA that are used by tenants for activities such as grazing."

The expressway will largely run along the designation of the defunct Western Link local road.

It will see a second bridge built over the Waikanae River, cutting across the El Rancho holiday park.

The expressway sparked controversy in Kapiti, with hundreds of submissions against the road of national significance.

The EPA's acting chairman Kevin Thompson said the board of inquiry received more than 700 public submissions.

[mathlete]

Good news. Whats the timeline for this project?

[nzkiwi]

Originally Posted by mathlete

Good news. Whats the timeline for this project?

Construction is timetabled to start in July 2013 and expected to take approximately four years.

Should be more info on the NZTA project page

[nzkiwi]

Kapiti expressway will create 1000 jobs - Key

Prime Minister John Key has announced the Kapiti expressway will create about one thousand jobs.

Donning gumboots with Otaki MP Nathan Guy, Mr Key visited farmland in Otaihanga this morning to view the first high level archaeological dig preparing for the road's construction.

Archaeologists said they were looking for Maori or Pakeha remains.

Mr Key said while the expressway will create about 1000 jobs, Transmission Gully is expected to create twice that number.

"The expressway will be a significant employer as well as a very important economic tool for greater access between the Kapiti Coast and Wellington.

"This is a fast growing part of the world, lots of jobs are being created here, so access is very important. Frankly, Wellington has been in desperate need of having more money spent on its infrastructure from a roading perspective.

"I believe the completion of the expressway and Transmission Gully will be welcomed by the vast majority of Wellingtonians," he said.

The $630 million expressway was part of NZTA's 10-year plan, he said.

Mr Guy said they were in discussions with the Horowhenua community about a $200 million SH1 upgrade which included a new trestle bridge over the Manawatu River and roading improvements around Levin.

Anti-expressway lobby group Save Kapiti have lodged an appeal in the High Court against construction of the McKays to Peka Peka section of the project.