Coordinated construction programme
This page provides an overview of coordinated construction activities scheduled to begin between now and the end of 2025.
This includes work being completed by Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi.
There will be significant changes in Lower Hutt over the coming years as a large programme of construction begins on both sides of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. This construction will have an impact on how people move around the city, and it will vary over time as construction starts and finishes in different areas.
The table below highlights what work is happening in the next 6-8 months, where it is, who is carrying out the work and the disruption you’re likely to experience.
We’re committed to minimising the impact of construction across all parts of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi. But it’s important to remember that large infrastructure projects, such as this, are complex and disruption will be inevitable. While these disruptions will be inconvenient at times, this project will bring long-term benefits to the community.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue to update this page as activities and timeframes are confirmed – this includes work happening in 2026 and beyond.
Last updated: Tuesday 19 August
|
When |
What's happening |
Where |
Who is doing the work |
What this means for you |
|
Already happening and is ongoing |
Small scale site investigation works, e.g. drilling new boreholes for ground water monitoring |
Various sites around the city and river |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Occasional, minor changes to access or parking – typically only for a few hours. |
|
Already happening and is ongoing |
Rocklines being built to strengthen the river’s edge |
On both sides of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River between Melling and Kennedy Good bridges |
Greater Wellington |
Some small sections of the Hutt River Trail by Block Road may be diverted. Heavy machinery working in the river and on the river’s edge. |
|
Already happening and is ongoing |
Underground demolition |
Marsden Street |
Greater Wellington |
Heavy machinery at site Monday-Saturday. Some noise and possible vibration. No change to traffic routes. |
|
Already happening and is ongoing |
Work near Belmont School, including: - Installing a new culvert near the car park area to improve drainage - realigning Speedy stream and creating a small beach area - lowering the current height of the grassy area to new design levels |
Land behind Belmont School |
Greater Wellington |
Heavy machinery will be in place during the day – Monday to Saturday. Minor disruption for a couple of days to the existing walking track just south of the car park. |
|
August 2025 |
Bio-engineering works |
At the river’s edge below Belmont School |
Greater Wellington |
Heavy machinery will be in place during the day – Monday to Saturday. Minor changes to public access to that part of the river’s edge while work is underway. |
|
From September 2025 |
Site establishment for SH2 and Melling Interchange including: - fences and hoardings go up around site perimeter - material and plant machinery deliveries begin - portacabins and storage areas established - preloading of ground using piles of material |
Western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River near Melling |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Minimal disruption, limited to site areas only.
|
|
From October 2025 |
Main sewer lining and water main relocation
|
Pharazyn St area
|
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Expect minor traffic management on Pharazyn St. Closure of 6-8 car parks in the Melling Park & Ride area for approximately a week. |
|
From October 2025 |
Closure of western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor for site establishment for Melling Bridge and SH2 works |
River corridor area between Block Rd and approx. 800m south of Belmont School |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance
|
All users including walkers and cyclists will need to use a temporary path on the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. |
|
From November 2025 |
Relocating underground services to prepare for construction. Portacabins and site services established. |
Rutherford St / Queens Dr area |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Expect traffic management and restricted access to the riverbank and shared path areas. |
|
From November 2025 |
Relocation of 33kV & 11kV electricity lines begins |
Starting at Melling Substation, heading south to Connolly Street and Melling Link |
Wellington Electricity Lines Limited (Greater Wellington) |
Expect traffic management and restricted access to the riverbank and shared path areas. |
|
From November / December 2025 |
Possible asbestos removal and demolition |
Daly St |
Greater Wellington |
Investigations and works that are largely inside private properties. From January 2026, Daly St between High St and Andrews Ave expect traffic management and restricted access. |
|
From December 2025 |
Rocklines being built in Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River under the bridge |
Beneath Melling Bridge on the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River (exact location tbc) |
Greater Wellington |
Expect restricted access to the riverbank and shared path areas. |
|
From 24 December 2025
|
Melling Station closes. Melling Line services will terminate at Western Hutt Station from 12 January 2026. Work begins to remove overhead lines and railway infrastructure. |
Melling Station and line between Melling Station and Normandale Bridge
|
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance / Greater Wellington / Metlink |
People who usually travel to/from Melling Station will need to make alternative travel plans for the new year. More bike parks will be provided at Woburn and Petone Stations. Additional Park & Ride facilities will be provided at Petone Station. |
Stay in touch
Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi is a transformational project for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt. It includes crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking & cycling routes, local roads and the SH2 Melling Interchange, as well as urban revitalisation of the Lower Hutt city centre and a new pedestrian bridge over the river.
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