Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown and Minister of Infrastructure Chris Bishop visit Te Ara Tupua, noting the steady progress of construction works to improve resilience of coastal defences in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Improving resilience and safety are critical elements and the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-one (Ngauranga to Petone) section of Te Ara Tupua, currently under construction in Wellington, will deliver on those priorities explained Simeon Brown.
“Upgrades to coastal defences and providing a path separated from the road will ensure travel between Wellington and Lower Hutt is more resilient and accessible, allowing people to get to where they need to go quickly, and safely,” Mr Brown says.
As one of only two main corridors in and out of Wellington, the road and rail corridor along State Highway 2 (SH2) is vulnerable to frequent severe weather events, and while there is demonstrated demand from cyclists, there is currently no safe walking and cycling option.
“The shared path being created as part of this project will first and foremost address safety issues experienced on the current corridor, but also unlock new opportunities for Wellingtonians, and visiting tourists, to explore the harbour and travel more easily between Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
“The new seawall being built will also provide invaluable protection for tens of thousands of daily commuters who rely on SH2 and the rail corridor, not to mention the critical pipes and cables below ground.
The Ngā Ūranga to Pito-one project had its resource consents fast-tracked in 2020 and the Government’s current legislation on fast-tracking will do the same, if not more, for other major projects in the future.
We look forward to welcoming the Ministers closer to completion and for the opening of Te Ara Tupua in 2026.
