What's been happening this week?

You might have noticed the arrival of a 60T crawler crane on site this week, this is being used for the ongoing ground improvement works and piling due to start next week. There are 128 piles to be constructed at approximately 8m deep on the western side of the river – more information on this coming soon!

We’re continuing with our environmental controls works including the construction of sediment ponds, and have also started to prepare for the relocation of the old Melling train station.

We’ve completed the new lane layout on the southbound lanes of SH2 north of Melling Link bridge in preparation for the installation of steel safety barriers later in February (check out this Facebook post to find out more).

Wellington Electricity works are progressing as they continue to relocate underground cables throughout the CBD. 

What’s happening next week?

Short-term activities that might impact your travel next week include:

• DATE TBC due to weather (currently postponed from Sunday 15 and Monday 16 February), Rutherford St will be CLOSED for nightworks between Margaret/ Daly St roundabout and Melling Link roundabout whilst the new cycle path is installed on the northbound lane of Rutherford St. This cycle path will be operational once the works are complete, and the path behind Harvey Norman will then close; we will update the way-finding signage upon completion.Jett’s Lower Hutt Gym members will still have access to the Harvey Norman car park until 9.30pm

Note - we will update our Facebook page with dates when known.

Wellington Electricity are relocating cables in the following locations (note all of these works are being undertaken during the day due to their proximity to residential properties):

• ongoing until mid-March, Connolly St (southbound), progressing towards Rutherford St
• ongoing until early March, Rutherford St works continue between Melling Link roundabout and Melling Road/Connolly St roundabout​
• from Monday 16 February until end of February, Dudley St will be reduced to a single lane (temporarily removing car parking). Later in February, a full road closure will be in place for a short time. Letters have been delivered to nearby residents and businesses.
• from Monday 16 February until end of February, Andrews Avenue will be closed. Letter drops for this work are being delivered today. Please note this work has been brought forward to minimise disruption when work commences on Queens Dr/ High St.
• from Monday 16 February, works begin at the Queens Drive/High Street roundabout (southern end of town nr City Fitness / the Sebel Hotel). For approximately two weeks, both northbound lanes from this roundabout up to the slip lane for Laings Rd (nr. House of Spices) will be closed, and drivers should divert on to High St, or Woburn Rd/ Myrtle St. For bus detour information, please visit: www.metlink.org.nz/detours-and-updates 
• ongoing until March, Ewen Bridge on ramp from Marsden, a single lane across the bridge into the city, and the lane off the bridge into the city are CLOSED (including part of the car park on Ward St). Drivers from Petone, this means you need to either change your route and use Hutt Road / Railway Avenue to access Lower Hutt, or travel under Railway Avenue, onto Marsden St, and then turn left on to Railway Avenue from Aglionby, Herbert or Parliament Sts. Buses are being diverted via Herbert St. Some parking has been removed in this area. Pedestrians and cyclists, footpaths on both sides of Ewen Bridge remain open.

To find out more about the progress of the Wellington Electricity works, please visit https://www.welectricity.co.nz/major-projects/teawakairangi

The short term and long term closures are represented on the map below (traffic lights and bollards respectively). The map also includes the paths currently open for pedestrians and cyclists.

Long-term closures reminder

Please remember the following long-term closures are in place:

• Queens Drive is CLOSED between Rutherford St and High St until approximately 2029
• the northern section of the Riverbank car park is permanently CLOSED to vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrians and cyclists, please use the alternative paths as marked on the signage
• the Hutt River Trail on the western side of the river (from ~800m south of Kennedy Good Bridge to 500m north of Ewen Bridge) is CLOSED, please use the path on the eastern (city) side of the river
• Melling Station including the car park and the Melling Park & Ride facilities are CLOSED. The train now begins and ends at Western Hutt, with extra parking available at Petone Station. For other travel options visit: www.metlink.org.nz/mellingstation
• Pharazyn Street is CLOSED from near Marsden Street to Block Road until approximately 2029
• Block Road and the pedestrian crossing from Tirohanga Rd over SH2 to Block Rd are permanently CLOSED.

Upcoming local events

The team will be at the Riverbank market every third Saturday of the month (21 February this month).

You’ll also find us at the Petone Rotary Fair on 21 February. We’d love to see you there.

We’ll continue to be out and about at community events over the coming weeks, so if you see us, come over and say hello. It’s a great chance to ask questions, share feedback, or just have a chat about what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

Other upcoming local events:

• Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship - Royal Wellington Golf Club, Upper Hutt 12 - 15 February
• International BSA Motorcycle Display – Dowse Square, 14 February
• NZHL XRace – Hikoikoi Reserve, 14 February
• International Food Festival – Naenae Village Market, 15 February
• Night Market – Food trucks in Dowse Square every Thursday
• Wainui Enduro – MTB races at Waiu Park, 21–22 February
• Petone Rotary Fair – Jackson Street, 21 February
• Karaoke on the Lawn – Riddiford Garden, 22 February
• NZ Men’s Evergreens Softball – Fraser Park, 27–28 February

Thank you

We know the current works, are affecting travel times. We’re ramping up construction and some delay and disruption is unavoidable, this is normal when road layouts change, and we expect things to take time to settle.

If you’re travelling at peak times, use a mapping app to find the most efficient route for your travel, or try a different travel mode like the train to avoid delays on the roads.

We thank you for your support, patience and for travelling through our project area with care. Please factor in delays before you travel and give yourself extra time.

More information

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi includes the SH2 Melling Transport Improvements, crucial flood protection and river restoration work, and city centre infrastructure upgrades.

It is a partnership between Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

You can find out more about current work that's underway here.

Otherwise for more information on the projects that make up this transformational programme of work, please:

• visit our website
• like us on Facebook
• send us an email
• subscribe to our monthly newsletter