At Thursday’s Electra Business Breakfast Deputy PM Grant Roberston announced confirmation of funding for the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway (O2NL).
The new 24-kilometre four lane highway will run from Ōtaki to north of Levin, built to the east of the existing State Highway 1 (SH1). The project includes a separated shared path for walking and cycling running the entire length of the new highway, helping to extend the region’s cycleway. O2NL will ensure people and freight are able to safely and easily move between the two regions and the rest of the North Island – helping to support the regions’ businesses and economic recovery.
Mr Robertson’s announcement was met with huge applause and he praised the efforts of “the persistence of Ōtaki Labour MP Terisa Ngobi.”
Ms Ngobi says her resonsibility is to listen and advocate on issues that will benefit our community, taking your voice to the decision making table.
“I have advocated strongly for O2NL to proceed, having many meetings with our Ministers and officials. I am so pleased to announce that our voices have been heard and that it’s all go for O2NL.
“O2NL is an absolute game changer for our community, I have driven on this road myself for many years and know the difference this is going to make. It is one of the most dangerous sections of road to drive in New Zealand – in the five years to 2017, there were 49 deaths and serious injuries along the route. Sadly, there were 2 more deaths just yesterday.”
Ms Ngobi says she is proud to be part of a Government that has recognised the need to improve safety and reduce congestion while supporting our economic recovery.
“Our community knows that O2NL won’t just benefit our area but the entire lower North Island.
“The NZUP transport projects were re-evaluated post COVID-19 to ensure we have a balanced plan for our economic recovery, putting us on a path to lower debt whilst investing in infrastructure. I want to acknowledge the Minister of Transport who had the huge task of evaluating the baseline data for all projects. I am grateful that the Minister could see the importance of O2NL and it is fantastic news that he has confirmed that the construction of O2NL has the green light.
