The Hutt Valley’s biggest roading project in years is set to begin.
Construction to start soon on new Haywards interchange
The Hutt Valley’s biggest roading project in years is set to begin.
Construction will kick off in a matter of weeks on a new interchange that will improve safety and provide congestion relief for people using the junction of State Highways 2 and 58.
NZ Transport Agency Wellington highways manager Neil Walker says the contract has been let and the designs finalised on a $43M grade-separated interchange at the intersection of SH2 and SH58 (the Haywards intersection).
The Transport Agency has awarded the contract for the work to Downer Engineering Limited, who will next week begin the process of preparing the site for construction.
Once complete, the intersection will serve a similar purpose to the Dowse interchange, which was completed in 2010.
“People who use this intersection frequently will know that it can be a real bottleneck, and that there’s also number of crashes and near misses when drivers get impatient or make mistakes. This project will effectively put those problems behind us.”
“This interchange will improve safety at the intersection for all road users, reduce travel times and frustration for motorists, and provide more reliable journey times,” says Wellington Highways Manager Neil Walker.”
Mayor of Upper Hutt Wayne Guppy is welcoming the project. “The new interchange is another part of the jigsaw on the Wellington roading network, but in particular, it’s a significant project for the users of SH58 and SH2 - not only in safety terms, but also in travel times from the Wairarapa and Upper Hutt into Wellington City.
“And with Transmission Gully now underway, this interchange is a major gateway into the Hutt Valley.”
Neil Walker says the project will also create benefits for public transport users and cyclists.
“We’re also building a park and ride carpark and pedestrian bridge to Manor Park railway station, which will make it easier and more appealing for commuters to use the rail network.”
In consultation with local communities, the interchange will include a unique set of cycle bypasses in both directions, which will remove the need for cyclists using SH2 to cross the traffic lanes when passing through.
“This is more than just a roading project. All travellers will benefit, whether you’re taking the train, hopping on a bike, or getting behind the wheel.”
Mr Walker says the Transport Agency recently met with locals to share the project plans, and have received a strong level of support.
“It’s great to have so many people in the community behind this exciting and important project.”
“We’re pleased to be working with Downer on this important piece of infrastructure. The work ties in well with the current and proposed safety improvements on SH58, as well as our SH2 corridor work, in which we’re looking for more opportunities to free up this busy highway and make it safer.,” said Mr Walker.
Construction on the interchange is expected to take two years. Preparatory work will begin next week ahead of construction beginning in a few weeks’ time.
