People driving on State Highway 2 Upper Hutt can expect to see a night closure next week as final elements are completed on the new intersection at Moonshine Hill Road.

While new traffic lights and a new lower speed limit are in place, recent bad weather meant that line marking, paving, and other minor works were unable to be completed as planned last weekend.

They will now be done this coming Thursday night (11 December), between 9 pm and 4:30 am.

For the safety of contractors, and to ensure the work is finished as quickly as possible, this will require a full closure of State Highway 2 between Fergusson Drive (Silverstream) and Gibbons Street.

Access will remain available for emergency services and Riverstone Terrace residents; all other traffic must detour via Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt.

Intersection’s impact on traffic

Since the new traffic signals went live on Monday, we are aware they have affected travel times. Short delays have been observed during afternoon peak traffic.

The Wellington Transport Operations Centre, which monitors the network, has noticed that road users are cautious when approaching this intersection, often slowing down even when they have a green light. 

This was expected to be the case for the first two to three weeks, as road users become familiar with the new layout.

Previously, similar changes in layout have initially resulted in delays, but these have reduced once road users became more familiar with the layout.

The intersection is being monitored, and signals will be adjusted to minimise congestion as much as possible.