Politicians have celebrated the start of construction on a major expressway that will bypass Levin.
The Ōtaki to north of Levin Expressway (Ō2NL) will be a 24km route, 21km of it being four lanes, and the northernmost part (3km) two lanes.
Earlier this year local councils raised concern about the project after on-ramps and overbridges on the motorway were removed from the design to save money.
After the uproar the New Zealand Transport Agency U-turned on that move, largely reinstating the original design. It is one of the Roads of National Significance.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop told media the construction of the new road would generate thousands of jobs.
Bishop described the current State Highway 1 route as "a dangerous death trap".
"Anyone who has driven it knows that - 70 deaths and serious injuries over five years to 2024."
The road's speed limit recently increased to 100km/h from 80km/h, which Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said at the time was disappointing.
Bishop said it was safe to drive on at 100km/h but noted it was a dangerous road.
Regarding the new motorway, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said there were benefits economically and socially.
"Taking 15 minutes off peoples' commute time is really serious and it's 15 minutes you get to spend with your family."
Luxon said the new motorway would also provide opportunities to open up housing developments.
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