The works have already drawn the ire of local residents. Photo: Pretoria Gordon
A major through road in Lower Hutt will be closed for the next nine months as part of a series of road works in Hutt City.
From 2 March until December 2026, the intersection between Queens Dr and High St will be closed while the existing roundabout is converted to a traffic lighted intersection as part of the new Melling Interchange.
The works are part of the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi project, formerly known as RiverLink.
"During the closure period, we will be relocating underground services like power, water, gas, and fibre; installing new drainage and stormwater systems; new footpaths, traffic islands, new signage and road markings to direct road users around the upgraded layout once we've replaced the existing roundabout with traffic lights," the group said in January.
Have you been affected? Get in touch with: iwitness@rnz.co.nz
It said it expected these works to be among the most disruptive of those being undertaken as part of the Melling Interchange.
"We're acutely aware of not only the impact it'll have on how people move around the area, but of the cumulative impact of all the work going on around the Melling area and CBD.
"The only other way we could make the necessary changes to the intersection would involve 18 to 24 months of stop/go traffic management, weekend and night closures, and ultimately, a less safe environment for you to drive through and for our crews to work in. This closure will allow us to get far more work done in a much shorter period."
The $1.5 billion Te Awa Kairangi project will include flood protection and river restoration work, urban revitalisation, and improvement to road and rail infrastructure, as well as new cycleways and pathways. It is not expected to be completed until some time in 2031.
But the works have already drawn the ire of local residents who have reported roadworks to date have caused gridlock and long delays.
It comes as commuters have been venting their frustration about a suite of works causing long delays.
There have been reports that the traffic sometimes backs up the off-ramps and causes delays on the motorway.
Some say their commute times have tripled, hitting set after set of road works.
But others say the problems are worth bearing for the improvements the work will bring.
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