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Hi John, Some great news to end your week and take you to the long weekend!! We've done it: we are getting the Ō2NL Expressway that we all wanted. Up front I want to thank you for signing my petition and helping us to fight strongly for these improvements. Together we have secured the road we wanted. Ever since I first found out from NZTA that there might be design changes to Ō2NL I haven’t let up; I’ve been fighting hard to save the design of our road. I’ve been very clear from the outset that I was fighting to save three specific changes: the Tararua Road Interchange, the Taylor’s Road Interchange, and the Manakau Heights Drive over-bridge. Today NZTA have announced that these will now all be reinstated to the final design, which is still scheduled to start construction this year.
THIS IS A HUGE WIN! I have been explicitly clear on the need for these three interchanges and bridges from the very start of these conversations, even when others focussed on different areas. My position and my priorities have never changed, and neither has my determination to fight for what we need. I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to achieve this together. NZTA have run an independent process and while it’s been frustrating for some as potential changes were announced, I’m so pleased that they have ultimately listened to me, to you, and to the strong voice of our community. To be clear, the three reinstatements are:
The road will be four lanes all the way from Ōtaki (and of course from Wellington) until SH57 splits off towards Palmy taking half the traffic with it. Thank you all for your support, for your encouragement, for signing my multiple petitions over many years and for backing me to get this right for our entire region. Special thanks to my colleagues Suze Redmayne, MP for Rangitikei, and Chris Bishop, MP for Hutt South, who have supported this all the way as local MPs across the lower North Island, going right back to 2019 when Chris Bishop first stood next to me as I launched my first petition to get this road built after Labour cancelled it. Bring on construction in just a few months!! Enjoy your Matariki weekend, Tim
From: Tim Costley MP Hi, 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:
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,
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 41 Pipitea Street Authorised by Tim Costley, Parliament Buildings, Wellington |
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