Final approval has been granted for another section of a highway on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington.
A board of inquiry has unanimously approved a 13km, four-lane motor expressway from Peka Peka to Otaki, which is part of the New Zealand Transport Agency's Wellington northern corridor project.
The Transport Agency on Friday welcomed the decision, saying it gave surety to the region.
The corridor will eventually run from Wellington airport to Levin and has faced opposition from some Kapiti Coast residents and Opposition MPs.
In November last year, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Save Kapiti group against the section of the expressway from Mackay's Crossing to Peka Peka.
The group said the latest decision was not surprising, because the board of inquiry is made up of ministerial appointees.
Wellington state highway manager, Rod James said the project has reached a milestone and a lot of work had gone into getting to this point.
"We had the draft decision a couple of months back, but to get a final decision is great and it means we just get on and design and build the road."
Construction is expected to begin in 2016.