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Customer: New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Contract: Design & Build Location: Ōtaki, North Island   |
Fast Facts
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The Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) project is a significant step forward for the Wellington Northern Corridor, designed to improve safety, reduce travel times, and enable better connections for the growing Kāpiti and Horowhenua regions. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa te au ki te Tonga and council partner Horowhenua District Council are working together to create a positive legacy for the region and more efficient State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin.
McConnell Dowell is part of the southern alliance delivering the southern section of the 24km highway alongside partners Downer, Beca, and Tonkin+Taylor. A second alliance of Aurecon, WSP, Fulton Hogan and HEB Construction is focused on the northern section north of the Ōhau River. Both alliances will be fundamental in delivering this important part of the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme.
The current project scope includes;
- 24km long roadway to be built to the east of the existing SH1/SH57 alignment.
- Four lanes with a separate shared user path along the length of the new highway, will link to facilities on the PP2Ō expressway.
- Intersections/interchanges at key locations to connect the local road network and communities.
- 14 bridge structures with a total length of 600m will be constructed. The longest are the Waikawa Stream (140m) and Ōhau River (200m) bridges.
- The project is being developed in line with principles of treading lightly, with the whenua, and creating an enduring legacy.
The new four-lane corridor will shift traffic away from busy town centres, remove thousands of heavy vehicles from local roads, and offer up to 15-minute time savings for northbound journeys.
Establishment works commenced in June 2025 with the team making strong progress with site establishment, including installing environmental controls, fencing, demolition and road access.
South Alliance Project Director Hugh Millikin says “the determination and momentum shown by all involved over the last year to get us to the start of construction has been outstanding. We’re looking forward to working with NZTA, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority and local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa te au ki te Tonga, council partner Horowhenua District Council and the local community to deliver this much needed stretch of new four-lane highway.”
Main construction will start in Spring 2025 and scheduled for completion in 2029.
Find out more about the Ō2NL project at: Ōtaki to north of Levin new highway | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
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