Hutt News, 20th May 2014 Concerns about access for Horokiwi residents and calls for improvements to State Highway 58 feature in feedback on the Petone to Grenada Link Road. More than 1400 submissions were sent in by the extended midApril deadline, a ‘‘ phenomenal response’’, NZ Transport Agency regional director Jenny Chetwynd says. ‘‘ We can’t stress enough the valuable role that local insight will play in guiding the development of the project. ‘‘We’re thrilled that the community have shown so much interest in the proposals.’’ The planned link between the Hutt Valley and Porirua-Tawa features a new raised interchange at Petone, and a six-lane highway climbing the steep ridge immediately south of Korokoro. At the northern end, at Grenada North, one option sees the road veer through Takapu Valley, where it will connect with Transmission Gully. A second option would involve widening State Highway 1 at Tawa. Both of these ideas have proved highly controversial and have been raised in submissions. Chetwynd says that though feedback will be analysed in detail over the next few months, there is support for the idea of a faster link between the two parts of the region, a consequent reduction in traffic on State Highway 2 between Petone and Ngauranga, and the fact that the link road provides an alternative if Ngauranga is blocked. On submitters who said Haywards was being overlooked, Chetwynd says NZTA is ‘‘ also committed to improving the safety of SH58, which remains a valuable link to the north’’. The Regional Transport Committee agreed last week that the chief executives of the region’s councils should work with NZTA on the best way forward for the route. Other themes in submissions were: Broad agreement that the preferred route between Petone and the Crest is the best option. Broad agreement that a Petone interchange is required. Concerns that more capacity is required at Tawa Interchange. Support for using the spoil (dirt and rock from earthworks) from Petone to Grenada to go towards a potential walking and cycling facility on the harbourside. Submitters also stressed the importance of supporting public transport, and Regional Transport chairwoman Fran Wilde said the region would be exploring options to help manage or avoid forecast congestion on SH1. A report summarising submissions will be released in winter and a preferred route is expected to be released late this year.