Paraparaumu’s $8m roading package tops regional transport list

Two Kāpiti projects are included in 16 transport priorities for Wellington region, with an $8 million package of improvements to local roads in Paraparaumu at the top and the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway also on the list.

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) coordinates the regional funding programme to which all councils in the region can apply for funding to be spent on significant transport projects.

Getting GWRC approval does not mean a project will be funded by Government which will make decisions in April next year.

Mayor Ross Church says having two big projects on the list is great news for Kāpiti.

“It recognises the additional burden on local roads that will be generated by the Kāpiti Expressway as well as the need to continue the new highway on up to Ōtaki.

“It also reflects the success of the agencies involved working together for the benefit of our District and the growing regional confidence in Kāpiti’s future.”

Mayor Church says if one or both projects make it into the Government’s national land transport programme it will make a huge difference to the region.

“It’s especially good to see the need for better road connections in Paraparaumu being recognised as a priority.

“Our application was greatly assisted by the traffic modelling done as part of the town centres transformation project which clearly showed potential issues traffic movements around Paraparaumu and how these could be addressed in future.

“One of the solutions identified is a link between Kāpiti Road and Ihakara Street. Timing and details of this and other potential town centre improvements will be worked through during the Long Term Plan process next year.”