The box structures that form part of the underpass entrances can be seen from the pedestrian and cycle footpath on the Matapihi verge, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton.

“Given the importance the community has placed on the underpass, we’re excited for people to be able to start to see how the final underpass will look,” says Ms Wilton.

The new underpass is being built in a similar location to the former underpass. It includes two separate reinforced concrete entrances and closed box sections located on the Bayfair and Matapihi sides of State Highway 2. The entrances will be connected by an open-air trench located under the new four-span flyover bridge at Bayfair.

“There has been a strong focus on safety and crime prevention throughout the design process for the new underpass.

“Features such as wide ‘flares’ at the entrances will provide clear lines of sight and the open-air trench will reduce any ‘closed-in’ feeling. Lighting features and CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the underpass to provide another layer of security,” says Ms Wilton.

The project team is also working with iwi partners on the cultural elements for the underpass.

“We know many people will be looking forward to using this facility, which will open on completion of the project.

“Under COVID-19 Alert Level 4, major project work – such as that on the Bay Link project – is not considered essential and has been paused. Only essential work to ensure security, safety and environmental protection is able to continue.

“It is too early to say what impact the lockdown might have on the project at this stage,” says Ms Wilton.

Both entrances will be approximately 3 metres wide and 2.5 metres high. The Bayfair side of the underpass will be approximately 18 metres long and the Matapihi side approximately 12 metres. The open-air trench connecting the two sides will be approximately 4 metres wide and 50 to 60 metres long with sloping sides.

On completion of the project, people who walk and cycle will have safer and improved connections, with the option to travel through the new underpass or use the new signalised crossing through the Bayfair roundabout.

The eastern box section of the underpass on the Bayfair verge.

Artist’s impression of the cycling and pedestrian underpass. View of the open-air trench.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

While rain in the area has eased for now, the overnight storm surge has also caused flooding in a range of other locations though out west Auckland, and those who need to be on the roads are urged to drive with caution.

Waka Kotahi also has reports of fallen trees and slips across the wider network which pose a risk to road users.

Our essential maintenance crews are working as hard as they can but these slips and debris will take time to clean up and flood waters take time to subside.

Motorists are being encouraged to assess their need for essential travel and follow all updates and travel information via our Journey Planner or by following the Waka Kotahi Northland/ Auckland Twitter page.

Journey Planner

Waka Kotahi Northland/ Auckland Twitter page

The weather has also caused significant impact to bus services, while some ferry services have been cancelled.

Heavy rain warnings remain in place for Auckland and Northland which could further impact the network.

Those who need to travel should drive to the conditions and keep their speeds down, maintain a safe following distance and stay alert

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook Auckland: facebook.com/nztaakl
• Facebook Northland: facebook.com/nztanorthland
• Twitter: witter.com/WakaKotahiAkNth
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

“People travel this road on their way to work or school, to visit family and friends, to pick up their groceries or to see the doctor. Wherever it is, they should be able to get their destination and back home safely,” Director of Regional Relationships Linda Stewart says.

“Safe speeds save lives. Whatever the cause of a crash, speed is the biggest factor that determines whether a person is killed, seriously injured, or walks away unharmed.

“We know from the feedback we’ve had from the community, the crash history on the road, and population growth in the area that the current speed limits on State Highway 57 are not safe and appropriate. That’s why we are proposing new, safer speeds for the road.”

Proposed speed limit changes:

• 310m east of SH1 intersection to 360m south of Graham Street, Shannon: from 100km/h to 80km/h
• 360m south of Graham Street, Shannon to 20m north of Vance Street: from 70km/h to 60km/h

Between 2015 and December 2020 there were 23 serious crashes on SH57, resulting in seven people killed and 24 people left seriously injured. The Queen Street, Tararua Road and Buckley Road intersections were the sites of four serious and three fatal crashes in that time period.

“Waka Kotahi has a vision of an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. To achieve this, we need to create a safe transport system that recognises that people make mistakes and is designed so that these mistakes don’t cost lives,” Ms Stewart says.

“This requires a mix of solutions that work together to keep people safe. So alongside proposing safer speeds, we are also making a number of infrastructure improvements on the highway, including a new roundabout at the Queen Street intersection, side barriers and widened centrelines.”

Waka Kotahi is now inviting people to make a submission on the proposed speed limit changes. Formal consultation is open from today until 5pm on 27 September 2021.

Submissions will be considered by Waka Kotahi when making its final decisions on the speed limit changes, alongside technical assessments of the road.

“Feedback from locals and people who use the road regularly will help us ensure we get our final decisions right. We want to hear from as many people as possible about what they think of our proposal and whether there are any other factors we need to consider,” Ms Stewart says.

People can visit the project page to find out more about how to make a submission.

Ōtaki to Levin safe speeds project page

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/nztacni
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCNI
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)