Ōtaki to Levin expressway plan changes

The story so far

Residents and two district councils opposed changes to the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, where a planned major four-lane interchange was downgraded to a roundabout to reduce costs.^{26 May 2025} Community members said they felt blindsided by the revised design.^{26 May 2025} Regional leaders wrote to the government to oppose the downgrade, which would remove on-ramps and overbridges, reduce the northern end to two lanes and add a roundabout to State Highway 1.^{27 May 2025} The Board also approved additional funding and abandoned plans to downgrade the highway.^{19 Jun 2025}

Latest

The NZTA Board has reinstated several critical features and abandoned the downgrade plans, following public concern.^{19 Jun 2025}

What's next

Additional funding has been approved to proceed with construction of the highway.^{19 Jun 2025}

Key moments

1. 26 May 2025Residents and two district councils oppose downgrading the planned four-lane interchange to a roundabout.
2. 27 May 2025Regional leaders write to government opposing the downgrade and its removal of on-ramps and overbridges.
3. 19 Jun 2025NZTA Board reinstates critical features and abandons the downgrade plans.
4. 19 Jun 2025Additional funding approved to proceed with construction.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.