Hi John,

I'm fighting to improve Ō2NL!

NZTA have proposed changes to the new expressway from Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL). I've been fighting for this road for six years and last night I again joined Levin residents at a public meeting with NZTA to show my support for a world-class road.

I'm sending this special email to let you know what's happening, and to ask for your views and your support via this submissions portal.

You can read about all the proposed changes here. Note that these changes are proposed by NZTA staff and will be submitted to NZTA Board for approval in due course. These changes are not proposed or approved by MPs. Governments can set policy (like "build this road") but not direct individual details (like "move that onramp").

✅ I'm pleased that the construction is still on schedule to start this year. I acknowledge that we need to stick to our budget, and some changes are necessary. I accept pragmatic changes like two lanes across the top of Levin after SH57 has split off along with half the traffic. We have to be responsible with taxpayer money, but I am concerned that some proposed changes miss the mark.

❌ I'm particularly concerned about the Tararua Road Interchange, the Taylor's Road Interchange, and Manakau Heights Drive.

‼️ My top priority is the Tararua Road Interchange, because it is the gateway to Levin and, unlike the other areas, it will impact every single user of the new road.

Under the proposed new plan it would mean:

• every resident in the new Tara-Ika development will have to cross through SH1 traffic to get to Levin

• every single pedestrian and cyclist will have to cross SH1 through traffic to get to the shared path

• every car turning to or from Levin onto the new road will create congestion rather than safe free-flowing traffic. At peak and holiday times this could be really bad. Remember the Ōtaki roundabout?

This road will be a safe, world-class expressway when it's built. Now is the time to make sure we get this right.

Send me your thoughts via this webpage, and share this email and the submissions portal with everyone you know. I will collate all feedback and I'll be taking this to NZTA in June.

You can also head to any of these NZTA drop-in sessions if you have questions, and their team will be happy to explain them to you. Please be nice to the NZTA staff - they are doing their best and we want to fight the decision, not their community staff.

https://national.org.nz/levingateway

I may not be allowed to direct NZTA what to do, but I will absolutely fight for our community and for our road.

Best wishes,

www.national.org.nz

41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Authorised by Tim Costley, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

This email was sent to [email protected]