Scam alerts: we’ve seen an increase in scam texts and emails claiming to be from us, asking for payments.
Check our example scams or report a scam to us

NZTA App: our mobile app provides a simple and secure way to access your driver licence and vehicle information.
Learn more and download the NZTA app

Construction has started on the new commercial vehicle safety centre at Mackays Crossing, Wellington which is expected to be completed in 2026

Supporting infrastructure including weigh-in-motion scales, static vehicle recognition cameras, and variable message signage will also be installed on State Highway 1 and 59 leading to the centre.

This technology will screen passing heavy vehicles and any non-compliant vehicles can be directed into the CVSC. Once operational, Police officers on site will check for vehicle weight, road user charges, certificate of fitness, logbook and driver impairment.

About the Mackays Crossing CVSC

The CVSC site is located on State Highway 59,  between the Mackays Crossing and Paekākāriki interchanges.

Screening vehicles in this area will allow us to identify and target non-compliant operators, reduce road maintenance by reducing overloading on the network, and keep freight moving on this high-volume route for the lower North Island.

Construction timeframe

The physical works have begun and are expected to be completed by mid-2026.

This includes the installation of:

  • the weigh bridge,
  • compliance building,
  • inspection bays,
  • inspection shed,
  • access road,
  • 3 weigh-in motion systems (two on SH1 and one on SH59),
  • and additional horse-friendly fencing.

With the centre is located away from the state highway, so no traffic management will be required for its construction.

The installation of the weigh-in motion systems on the state highways will require short-term traffic management. These works will be communicated to the public in advance.

Protecting horses, cyclists, and pedestrians

The planned route for heavy vehicles called into the CVSC means they won’t need to cross over the shared path at the Mackays Crossing interchange. This will help to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.

In addition to this, we’re installing a horse-friendly fence and widening the shared path at the Mackays underpass to help prevent horses straying onto the road.

Noise mitigation

Construction of the CVSC isn’t expected to create excessive levels of noise. However, to reduce the possible impact of construction work will be limited to weekdays, with no night works planned.

How heavy vehicles will access the CVSC

When the Mackays Crossing CVSC opens heavy vehicles will be directed by overhead signage to enter the CVSC on SH59. To limit the possibility of heavy vehicles crossing paths with shared path users, heavy vehicle drivers will be asked to use the following routes to access the CVSC:

How will access to and from the Mackays Crossing CVSC work? [PDF, 149 KB]

Northbound heavy vehicles

Enter

  1. Come off SH1 at the Mackays Crossing interchange.
  2. Turn south onto SH59.
  3. Enter CVSC on the right.

Exit

  1. Head south out of CVSC onto SH59.
  2. Rejoin SH1 northbound via Paekākāriki interchange.

Southbound heavy vehicles

Enter

  1. Come off SH1 at the Paekākāriki interchange.
  2. Turn north onto SH59.
  3. Enter CVSC on the left.

Exit

  1. Head south out of CVSC onto SH59
  2. Rejoining SH1 northbound via Paekākāriki interchange.
  3. Come off SH1 at the Mackays Crossing interchange.
  4. Turn right onto Whareroa Road.
  5. Using the roundabout, turn south to the onramp, rejoining SH1 southbound.

Expected heavy vehicles numbers on SH59

Since the opening of Transmission Gully, traffic counts on SH59 have dropped from 25,700 per day to approximately 5,400 per day. Approximately 13,300 vehicles currently travel in each direction along the adjacent section of SH1 per day, with around 6.5% of them being heavy vehicles.

We’re estimating that when the CVSC initially opens, approximately 11 heavy vehicles will be called into the CVSC during the morning peak (8-9am), and around 7 during the evening peak (5-6pm). This number is expected to reduce over time.