Underground Cable Relocations

Underground cable relocations

Major works underway in Lower Hutt

Since mid-November 2025 major works have been underway in Lower Hutt as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi.

To make way for the new Melling Bridge, stop banks, and shared pathways, we’ve asked Wellington Electricity to relocate underground electricity cables currently within the construction zone.

The work needs to be done now, before major construction gets underway, to help avoid future disruption and keep the wider project on track.

What to expect

Work will be delivered in three sections from November 2025. Crews will operate during the day and, in some areas, at night to minimise disruption, keep access open, and complete the project as quickly and safely as possible.

The first two sections of work will take place between November 2025 and April 2026. The third section is scheduled to commence in March 2026, and more detail will be available closer to the time.

Impacted roads include:

Connolly Street
Rutherford Street
Melling Link Road
part of Melling Bridge
Dudley Street
Andrews Avenue
parts of High Street
Laings Road
Queens Drive
Ewen Bridge
Marsden Street

If your home or business is on the route, you’ll receive further information from Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi and Wellington Electricity before the work begins.

Traffic management and access

Wherever possible, at least one lane along the route will remain open. Access to businesses and homes will be maintained throughout, and clear signage and traffic management will be in place to keep the city moving.

Cable replacement on Daly St and the southern end of High St

From Monday 2 February, Wellington Electricity is expected to begin underground cable replacement work on Daly Street, and the south end of High Street.

The work will continue over the coming weeks, and is expected to be completed in March.

If you live or work along the impacted route, you will receive an individual notification by letter from contractors GP Friel. Please follow signposted detours.

The work will take place in three stages (please see indicative locations on the map below):

Stage One will see trenching at the south end of Daly Street to the roundabout (green line)
Stage Two will see work move onto the roundabout between Daly Street and High Street (blue rectangle)
Stage Three will move north up High Street to its intersection with Laings Road (red line)

What this means for traffic access:

expect some single-lane traffic closures
entry and exit points are subject to change, and parking in this area will be restricted
during Stage One, access to Daly Street will only be available from the south. From there you can continue north on Daly Street, or turn right onto Andrews Avenue and right or left again to High Street
traffic from Laings Road will join High Street by turning left only. All movements will be clearly signposted on site.

For more information and updates on the cable replacement programme, visit www.welectricity.co.nz/major-projects/teawakairangi

Thank you for your continued patience while this work is completed.

Overnight road closures for cable replacement – Rutherford Street & Ewen Bridge

From Sunday 25 January 2026

As part of ongoing cable replacement work in Lower Hutt, there will be temporary road and lane closures affecting Rutherford Street and the Ewen Bridge. These closures are needed so Wellington Electricity contractors can carry out the work safely.

Rutherford Street (overnight only)

Closed between Queens Drive and Melling Road
7.00pm – 5.30am, starting Sunday 25 January
The overnight closure is expected to be in place for up to 15 nights
Please follow the signposted detours
Rutherford Street will reopen each day outside of these hours.

Ewen Bridge (24/7 closures from Monday 26 January)

The Ewen Bridge on-ramp will be closed
One lane across the bridge (west to east) will also be closed
These closures will be in place 24 hours a day while work is completed.

What this means for commuters

Expect delays on and around the Ewen Bridge, particularly during weekday peak times, so allow extra time for your journey
Some bus routes will be impacted meaning delays are likely for public transport users
West-to-east travel across the bridge will have reduced capacity
Drivers using the Ewen Bridge on-ramp (normally accessible from Marsden and Victoria streets ) will need to follow signposted detours
If possible, consider travelling outside peak times or allow extra travel time.

Parking