Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway completed

The Herald reports:

With the smell of new road seal lingering in the air, Transport Minister Simon Bridges cut a ribbon this morning to mark the completion of the four-lane 18km Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway, north of Wellington.

“We are right now on the best road in New Zealand,” he declared.

He had lost count of the number of people who had come up to him during his travels saying they had wanted the road for a long time.

“One elderly gentleman told me yesterday that he had been wanting this since he was a young man, and he thought it was a fable, but today the fable becomes reality, and it’s very exciting to see.”

It has been a long time coming and it is going to make a huge difference. The current SH1 goes through the middle of Paraparaumu and Waikanae shopping areas, which means traffic lights and congestion.

The new SH1 will be four lanes the entire way with no intersections. It will also now allow people in Paraparaumu and Waikanae to drive from one town to the other without going all the way to the old SH1. Great for those down the beach ends.

Labour and Greens of course opposed this Expressway, demanding it be scrapped. People should remember that when they drive on it.

It is part of the overall Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance which has a BCR of 1.2 and will result in four lanes from Wellington Airport to Levin. Will be a great day when we have that.