With construction now well underway for the State Highway 2 Melling Transport Improvements project, people travelling in Lower Hutt are urged to stay up to date on the impact it is having on traffic.

It is also part of a wider programme of work which includes flood protection work and city centre upgrades.

This is a significant project, with work affecting both State Highway 2, Melling Bridge, and local roads in Lower Hutt – traffic will be affected and delays can be expected when travelling through the area.

Current major works

Queens Drive & High Street

From this week, and continuing until December, the intersection of Queens Drive and High Street (near McDonald’s) is CLOSED while contractors upgrade the single-lane roundabout to a high-capacity traffic light intersection and prepare the area for increased traffic.

Work here includes road and footpath widening, new drainage, underground service relocation, footpaths, lighting, surfacing and road marking.

This is a critical part of the Melling Transport Improvements project and, once completed, it will be the new gateway to Lower Hutt from State Highway 2.

It is a busy intersection, and its closure will be disruptive and will cause travel delays, particularly during peak commuting times.

Contractors are aiming to complete the intersection improvements before the end of the year, and contingency for weather delays has been factored into the project. Weather-permitting, it may be completed ahead of current schedules.

Pharazyn Street and Block Road

Work here began late December with the closure of the Melling train station. This was followed by relocation of utilities and significant ground improvements in January – both are important steps in building the new interchange.

This work is ongoing and includes Pharazyn Street being CLOSED for the majority of the construction period – through to around 2031. Block Road is also permanently CLOSED.

Because of the Block Road closure, the slip lane on the highway is also CLOSED to give trucks enough space to safely enter the worksite. This, and a temporary 70 km/h speed limit, affects traffic at Melling. This is normal when road layouts change, and it to take time to settle.

Mitigations

Steps have been put in place to help minimise disruption and traffic congestion. This includes:

• Sequencing projects with the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council to avoid unnecessary overlap.
• We are closely monitoring real-time traffic flows and have adjusted traffic light phasing on the State Highway 2 to keep vehicles moving.
• A disruption management group is operating with local and regional councils and other agencies and service providers involved (including KiwiRail and Metlink) to plan and mitigate the impacts the projects are having.

General travel advice

People are encouraged to plan ahead and to know their travel options. Every small change helps people and Lower Hutt to keep moving.

With multiple projects underway at Melling and Lower Hutt city (interchange, flood protection, city centre upgrades), drivers can expect travel delays and should allow more time for their journeys. People travelling at peak times should use a mapping app to find the most efficient route for their travel.

Drivers should consider alternative routes – such as exiting at Petone or the Dowse Interchange when travelling into the Lower Hutt city centre or suburbs near the centre. Where possible and appropriate, people can also consider using active modes (such as walking and cycling), for journeys around the project area.

For people travelling into Wellington, taking the train is a great way to avoid delays on the roads.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi acknowledges the disruption caused by this work is frustrating and inconvenient for the public, but unfortunately some disruption is inevitable. Work underway will result in new and better infrastructure which will bring significant benefits via a much improved and safer transport link between State Highway 2 and Lower Hutt.

More information

• SH2 Melling transport improvements(external link)