An image showing the roundabout and proposed changes to Aotea Quay in Wellington. Photo: Supplied / Let's Get Wellington Moving
Construction is set to begin on a major piece of infrastructure at the northern entry point to Wellington.
The project to build a roundabout on Aotea Quay was officially opened this Wednesday morning with a ceremonial sod turning and speeches, half drowned out by heavy trucks rushing by.
The roundabout will go in by the Mainfreight warehouse, and make entry to the ferry terminals and freight depots easier to navigate.
Construction will be carried out by Downer, on behalf of the Let's Get Wellington Moving partners: Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Waka Kotahi, and iwi partners Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa.
Transport Minister Michael Wood said the roundabout would improve road safety and usability.
"The government is upgrading New Zealand's transport system to make it safer and more efficient for now and future generations to come," he said.
The corridor carries around 32,000 vehicles a day, 9 percent of which are heavy commercial vehicles. The route is a primary access to the city; it also services the port and the inter-island ferry terminals, as well as numerous freight yards.
"The new roundabout will streamline traffic headed to the ferry terminals, and improve the safety of vehicles heading to the freight yards along Aotea Quay that currently have to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic," Wood said.
Vehicles heading for the Interislander would continue on State Highway 1 and exit at Aotea Quay, turning around using the new roundabout rather than taking the earlier exit onto Hutt Road.
"This will make a big difference to improving congestion on Hutt Road, especially during peak traffic times," Wood said.
The regional council's Transport Committee chairperson Thomas Nash said the roundabout would make it possible to put in bus and cycle lanes along the quay.
"You might say, 'It's just a roundabout', but actually what it does is it completely transforms the Hutt Road and Thorndon Quay entrance."
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau said the intersection was the "gateway to our city".
"Not only is it going to benefit us, it will benefit the rest of the country. It represents fewer heavier trucks, better bus services, and improved cycle networks."
She said the beginning of the project was proof that Let's Get Wellington Moving was, indeed, moving.
Taranaki Whanui representative Leslie Brown said the programme represented a change in Wellington for the better - more job opportunities, affordable housing, and a better environment for children and grandchildren.