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. Transport Minister Chris Bishop told media the construction of the new road would generate thousands of jobs. 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."