Whakatiki Street intersection improvements start tonight

Work to improve safety at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Whakatiki Street in Upper Hutt is set to get under way tonight.

The project involves the installation of traffic lights and CCTV cameras, as well as improvements to the road surface. 

“We are committed to improving safety at this intersection”.

“Whakatiki Street is a key local road which connects Upper Hutt with the busy State Highway 2. Installing traffic lights and making the current temporary speed limit of 80km/h permanent for the southbound lane will help lower the risk for road users at this intersection. Traffic lights will make it easier for drivers turning right into and out of Whakatiki Street and will also reduce delays for right turning traffic from Whakatiki Street onto State Highway 2,” Mr Walker says.

“Once the traffic lights are installed we expect that there will be an immediate improvement to safety.”

The work is being carried out in partnership with Upper Hutt City Council.

Detours will be in place for some of the work, and will be clearly marked as below:

• Northbound right turn lane closure - Detour for vehicles to continue straight on SH2 and use Gibbons Street to access Whakatiki Street.
• Southbound full lane closure – Vehicles turn left onto Whakatiki Street and will be redirected to Moonshine Road, where detour ends.
• There will be some instances where both above closures take place, and both detour routes will be in us during these times.

The work will get under way on Tuesday, 6 June, and weather permitting, is scheduled to take four weeks to complete. All construction work is expected to take place between 7pm and 5.30am.