Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
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).
“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.
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.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
