Construction setup underway for crucial Mills St stopbank

We’re excited to announce construction to upgrade the stopbank between Melling Link Bridge and Mills Street, as shown on the map below, is due to commence in late February.

The new stopbank will provide increased flood protection for the Hutt Valley and is due to be completed in early October 2024. Construction of this stopbank is an important milestone, as it currently has the lowest level of flood protection in the Hutt Valley.

You’ll see crews out in this area setting up a site office, putting fencing around future construction areas, and recommencing gravel extraction needed to improve the stopbanks. While there will be some disruptions, such as the closure of the Riverbank reserve between Melling Link Bridge and Kennedy Good Bridge, including the Hutt River Trail and recreational area, wayfinding signage will be put up to direct users to alternative routes. Traffic management will also be in place on local roads near the construction area; however, access to residences and businesses will be maintained.

Regular updates will be posted on our website www.teawakairangi.co.nz and Facebook page.

Demolition properties put to good use

Further demolition on Pharazyn and Marsden streets is continuing. The land at two previous demolition locations on Mills and Pharazyn streets will be put to good use by setting up a site office, welfare facilities, storage, etc. It will be used by construction personnel to assist with upcoming stopbank works and further ground investigations.

In January, we started the demolition of a warehouse on Rutherford Street. This is being undertaken in stages to create space for the new stopbank works. The disconnection of utilities and the removal of internal furniture and building materials is already complete. Throughout February, the demolition contractor will remove the roof, then warehouse walls and slab whilst taking care around adjacent properties and retaining walls.

Service utilities and geotechnical investigations continue

Another sign of project progress was the start of site investigations at Melling Road, Mills Street and the future Mills Street stopbank work area in January. Investigations include locating utilities such as power, fibre broadband and water assets, as well as testing ground conditions and assessing pavement thickness/materials. Mills Street investigations are already complete.

Geotechnical investigations also re-started in January along the river corridor. You may see large equipment for drilling and probing the ground using geotechnical drill rigs and thrust machines to explore the ground up to 35m below the surface. Investigations will occur one at a time, and the duration at each location will vary depending on the ground conditions encountered. Each investigation location will have fencing or barriers put up to ensure the safety of those enjoying the area, and the safety of the team completing the works.

Geotechnical investigations will continue through to May 2024, and service utility / pavement site investigations will continue through to June 2024.

We’re out in the community

With our service utilities and geotechnical teams undertaking investigations in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai—Lower Hutt, and construction setup near the Mills Street stopbank, you’ll see more of our team out in the community.

We’re attending the Bike the Trail event on Sunday 25 February. Feel free to stop by for a chat with one of our friendly team members to ask questions or learn more about the project.

More information

For more information on Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi project like our Facebook page for updates, visit our website, or send our team an email.

Facebook: Like our page here

Website: www.teawakairangi.co.nz

Email: info@teawakairangi.co.nz

About the Alliance

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Te Awa Kairangi) – The Soothing Waters of Te Awa Kairangi is a partnership between iwi Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Greater Wellington Regional Council, NZ Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi, Hutt City Council, and the Alliance of AECOM and Fletcher Construction, delivering RiverLink.

The Alliance has been established to deliver the RiverLink project, which includes crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, local roads and the State Highway 2 Melling Interchange, as well as urban revitalisation of the Lower Hutt city centre.

You can learn more about the project at www.teawakairangi.co.nz