Work is now going ahead on the new highway stretch to connect Peka Peka with Otaki, which will form part of the planned Kapiti Expressway. This 13km stretch of highway is being built by contractor Fletcher Construction. The package of works was awarded by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and involves designing and building the new link. Construction work will start in 2017 and is expected to take until 2020.
New Zealand has plans to rebuild transport infrastructure damaged by the recent earthquake. Road as well as rail links were damaged by the earthquake in Kaikoura and the rebuilding will include measures to provide protection against future such problems, as well as improving safety. The work will cost an estimated US$1.03 billion (NZ$1.4 billion). Another project being planned is the rebuilding of Kaikoura Harbour, which was also damaged by the earthquake.
