Work to improve accessibility and safety on key local roads ramps
The Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway will change how people move around Kāpiti. The Kāpiti Coast District Council is making a series of improvements to key roads in anticipation of this change to ensure people can travel freely around the district.
Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says traffic volumes and patterns are expected to change on Kāpiti and Te Moana roads as people will use them to get on and off the expressway.
“The Council currently has a programme of work underway to respond to this change. We have already carried out works to upgrade the Milne Drive/ Te Roto Drive intersection in anticipation of the expressway opening and further work to improve the level of service, safety and accessibility on Kāpiti Road will be carried out over the next eight to ten months.”
“We are also progressing work to improve the Ratanui Road/Mazengarb Road intersection and investigating some lower cost interim measures to help ease traffic and address safety issues at the Park Avenue/Te Moana Road intersection before the expressway opens,” Mr Mallon said.
The Council is examining the long-term treatment for the Park Avenue/Te Moana Road intersection as part of a corridor-wide transport study to be carried out this financial year.
Mr Mallon says the study will identify both short and long-term strategic options for Te Moana Road, Park Avenue and part of Ngarara Road in conjunction with the Council’s work to transform and improve the Waikanae town centre and work to turn State Highway One into a local road within 24 months of the expressway opening.
Improvements to Raumati Road are also scheduled for later this year to accommodate changes in traffic patterns and volumes associated with the Performing Arts Centre and improve safety and accessibility for all road users.
“There’s a lot of activity on our local roads and it is important that we look at the big picture. The improvements we are making will mean some disruption, but we aim to keep this to a minimum and traffic management plans will be in place where needed.”