Kāpiti local road changes are the top priority for the region’s transport plan. An extension of Ihakara Street in Paraparaumu to accommodate increased traffic from the Kāpiti expressway is the top priority for the Wellington region’s proposed transport improvement programme over the next six years.
The Kāpiti roading improvements top the list of 16 significant transport improvements that the region wants funding for over the next six years. The list is included in the draft Regional Land Transport Plan, approved by the Regional Transport Committee this week for public consultation next month.
Fran Wilde, Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, says the roading changes would ease traffic flows coming on to local roads from the Kāpiti expressway.
“Extending Ihakara Street and connecting it to a proposed new intersection at Arawhata and Kāpiti Roads will ease congestion and make journeys on local roads quicker.”
Kāpiti public transport users would also benefit from proposed improvements, including faster train journeys from Waikanae to Wellington and a modern, integrated fares and ticketing system, where customers use just one electronic payment system for all public transport travel.
“The proposed improvements will make it safer, quicker and easier to get where you want to go whether you’re in a car, on a bike, on foot, on public transport or driving a truck. Being able to do this is fundamental for everyone in the region and for the vibrancy, attractiveness and productivity of the region as a whole,” says Fran Wilde.
The draft plan will go out for public consultation on 19 January 2015.
The NZ Transport Agency will make the final decision next June on which of the proposed significant transport improvements are given funding.
