Construction begins on Haywards Interchange

Construction has officially started on the SH2/58 Haywards Interchange project, which will improve journey times and safety for Upper Hutt travellers.

The Minister of Transport Hon Simon Bridges today turned the first sod on the project, accompanied by Mayor of Upper Hutt Wayne Guppy, Transport Agency officials, local iwi and dignitaries.

Regional Director Central Raewyn Bleakley says the new interchange will improve safety at the intersection for all road users and provide more reliable journey times.

“By smoothing out traffic flow, we can make journey times shorter and more reliable. This is great for the economy because it will take the guesswork out of commuting, travelling to and from the airport, or moving goods around the city.”

Ms Bleakley says the multifaceted project will make a real difference for all travel choices, helping to remove barriers to people using alternative forms of transport.

The project is being delivered on behalf of the NZ Government, and will deliver on the Government’s transport goals of improving economic productivity, providing for alternative travel modes, and making journeys safer.

Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy expressed his delight that work is beginning on the interchange.

“This project is not only great for Upper Hutt residents, but also Lower Hutt and the wider Wellington community; it will deliver real improvements to traffic flow and safety for road users. This intersection has been an issue for a long time and it’s great to see progress being made.”

Paul Swain, Chair of the Regional Council's Sustainable Transport Committee, welcomed the start of the project.

"The new interchange on SH2, along with the improvements to Manor Park Station and safer cycle paths, means that everyone will win - whether they're travelling by car, train, bicycle or on foot. This project is a great example of an integrated solution and we look forward to working with the Transport Agency on many more of these around the region."

The project includes the following

• An elevated roundabout, similar to the existing Dowse Interchange, at the intersection of SH2 and SH58.
• A pedestrian bridge across the existing motorway to Manor Park railway station.
• An upgrade of the railway station and a larger park and ride carpark constructed at the interchange, meaning better opportunities for commuters to utilise the rail network.
• A unique set of cycle bypasses, both north and south-bound, removing the need for cyclists using SH2 to cross the traffic lanes when passing through. These improve safety and make cycling in the area more attractive.
• The interchange ties in well with the safety improvements already under way on SH58, as well as future improvements to SH2, which are currently being explored..

The project is being constructed by Downer Engineering, Aurecon and Tonkin & Taylor. It is expected to be completed in around two years.