Transport

Waka whenua

Transport

Building connections

Lower Hutt is home to over 110,000 people and its population is rising. Changes need to be made to the transport network to keep up with the Hutt Valley’s urban and economic growth.

The improvements at Melling will build a safer, more reliable and more accessible transport system in Lower Hutt. This will offer residents and visitors more choice on how they get around. RiverLink also supports flood protection and the revitalisation of the central city.

Working together we can create a connected city and a great place to live.

A better road network

State Highway 2 at Melling is very congested during peak periods and at the weekend. The traffic signals on a high-speed road generate road safety issues. Improvements at the Melling intersection, including a new road bridge and interchange, will help keep traffic moving. It will be safer and easier for people and freight to get where they need to go in Lower Hutt.

Transport choices

The Melling improvements are more than a new road. RiverLink will create better public transport links too. As well as a new road bridge there will be a new pedestrian and cycle bridge that links directly to the newly relocated Melling Station. The station will include a bus hub, cycle storage and park and ride facilities – giving commuters and residents even more travel options.

Goals

Improving safety

Improvements at the Melling intersection and a new road bridge over the river will create a safer transport network for all travellers.

Enabling urban growth

Turning Lower Hutt into a true ‘river city’, stimulating redevelopment and identifying new opportunities for recreational, social and cultural activities.

Building resilience

Upgraded stopbanks and a wider river channel will add extra flood protection. The new Melling Bridge over Te Awa Kairangi is an integral part of this flood protection work.

More walking and cycling

We'll build a range of walking and cycling paths, including a new pedestrian and cycle bridge.

Upgrading public transport

RiverLink will improve rail and bus connections. The newly relocated train station will be accessible
and become a hub for public transport.

Projects

Interchange and Hutt River bridge

The new interchange and overbridge, connecting directly to Queens Drive, will help improve
access during peak travel times.

Newly relocated Melling Station

Changes to the rail network will improve the reliability and accessibility of the train service for commuters.

Walking and cycling network

A network of new walkways and cycle paths are planned along the river, designed for both commuting and leisure activities.

Walking and cycling bridge

The bridge will provide access for pedestrians and cyclists, offering different ways to safely
commute daily into Wellington.

Process

Planning an intersection upgrade with an understanding of the flood protection improvements enables a coordinated approach. We’re considering the nature of the bridge, how it connects across the river and what form it might take. The timing of the construction of the bridge will be aligned as closely as possible with timing on the construction of stopbanks and other flood management infrastructure.

Funding

The NZ Upgrade Programme provides up to $420 million for a new safer Melling interchange, a new bridge over Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River, a newly relocated Melling Station, and new walking and cycling paths.

The government provided $6 million for the designation and consenting of the project in November 2019 which removes a dangerous signal-controlled intersection on State Highway 2.

Project leadership

This is a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency initiative. The wider RiverLink programme delivered by the two councils outside this investment package includes a new bridge linking Rutherford Street and the relocated railway station. Waka Kotahi work collaboratively with Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington on the project while actively considering the upgrade of the Melling intersection with SH2.