The RLTP’s Top 30 transport projects – more detail than you may need
This is the companion post to the main RLTP submission guide post. Here you can swim around in the detail – without going way deep – because we’ve packaged up several documents’ and tables’ material for your convenience.
You can also view all of the 30 proposed projects on an interactive map handily prepared by the GWRC secretariat, which has filtering for regions and activity classes, and allows you to see exactly where around Wellington these projects will happen. It also has a very useful selector to see what projects already have committed funding, which are prioritised, and which are non-prioritised.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa836741dc534181904c0906a7666ffb/?dlg=Main
If you’d like to read along in the RLTP consultation document (alas only available as a PDF), these begin on Page 46.
The information on these projects is taken from various tables and collated for ease of reference. In the draft, the activities are first organised by overall priority and total cost (p 46 & p 59), then by lead organisation (p 68), and lastly by “activity class” – the bucket of NLTF funding into which they’re bidding (p 77).
There are 5 of these latter groups:
- Local road improvements & maintenance
- Public transport infrastructure
- Public transport services
- State highway improvements & maintenance
- Walking and cycling improvements
(there’s also a secret 6th group: External Funding — the 14 activities this applies to are noted on p 94 of the draft and also listed at the end of this post)
Each ranked “significant activity” may contain several different projects or even whole bundled programmes. Among the 30 of them, there are 62 different proposals. These components are each seeking funding from an NLTF “activity class,” which lets you know what their general purpose is.
You will notice that some rankings appear multiple times in other tables; this is because some projects contain multiple activities within the overall bundle. While there’s some “remora fish x basking shark” merit to bundling when it comes to the inter-regional Hunger Games for tiny activity-class money pots, the projects in a bundle will be unbundled again when considered by Waka Kotahi.
Without much further ado, let’s dive in.
Rank #1: Rail Network Resilience
Sponsoring agency: KiwiRail
Activity Class: Public transport infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
Address the historic backlog of renewals due to the legacy of underinvestment in the Wellington network. Renewing all assets within the renewals backlog will ensure no assets in operation are past the end of their economic life and delivering this programme will meet the government’s commitment under the Metro Rail Operating Model (MROM) of providing a fit for purpose network.
Project website:
https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/our-network/funding-our-network/rail-network-investment-programme/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Trains = our superpower as a region – see above commentary about the opportunity cost. Backing any reasonable investment in mass transport (i.e. rail) as a priority for the region aligns with our kaupapa. This project seeks funding to improve existing trains’ reliability and frequency.
Rank #2: Completing Metro Rail Resilience and Capacity
Sponsoring agencies: KiwiRail, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official descriptions:
- Wellington ETCS – Rail Network Resignaling
- Implementation phases of the committed activity WMUP 5 – Wellington Rail Network Resignalling Renewal. This programme replaces Wellington’s mixed signalling and train control systems with one that will provide the levels of safety, capacity and resilience required to support the growth in passengers and freight. Installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2.
- Unlocking Capacity & Improving Resilience – Infrastructure (Substation Upgrade)
- Infrastructure network capacity improvements (including sub-stations) on the Wellington Metro Railway Network (over the next 4 years) to remove key network constraints, improve peak service frequency and capacity and provide a higher quality passenger rail service, cater for forecast peak passenger demand through to 2030, and ensure balanced mode share between road and rail during peak periods to increase the resilience of the wider transport network.
- Wellington Metro – Strategic Future Planning
- Strategic planning for future investment in the Wellington Metro rail network. Enables KiwiRail to complete Programme Business Case work and participate in key planning activities of other organisations – i.e. Regional Growth Framework, etc.
- Wellington Metro – Remaining Improvements for RS1 Timetable
- Remaining network improvements to enhance the resilience of the RS1 timetable, which provides a nominal 15-minute service increasing network capacity and level of service to passenger and additional network resilience. A number of additional projects have been identified that support the delivery of the next step in metro rail timetable RS1. These include increased stabling at Waikanae, upgrades to the junction at Woburn, and signal upgrades (splitting the signal blocks) at North South Junction & Pukerua Bay.
- Wellington Metro – Remutaka Tunnel Ventilation System
- Installation of an active ventilation system in the Remutaka Tunnel to accommodate passenger services on the Wairarapa Line in light of changes to compliance thresholds.
Project details:
https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/our-network/funding-our-network/rail-network-investment-programme/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Taken all together, the activities in this project all represent necessary investment for the rail network’s resilience and lifespan. This should hopefully reduce the amount of replacement buses being used when trains go down. What’s more, most of these activities are already underway, with only the future planning in the “pre-implementation” phase.
Rank #3: Metro Rail – Developing and Enabling Future Capacity
Sponsoring agencies: KiwiRail, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official descriptions:
- New Metro Rolling Stock
- Purchase of 15 x 4 car Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs) to enable higher frequency and capacity peak services on the electrified metro Wellington rail network.
- Wellington Metro – Network Capacity Enhancements for 10min Timetable Step Change
- This business case programme of work enables KiwiRail to further develop, plan and programme the network infrastructure required to support for each timetable step towards that RS4.3 end goal. The first phase of this would be detailed planning for the next timetable step – delivery of RS2.
Project website:
https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/our-network/funding-our-network/rail-network-investment-programme/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Shortage of available trains is one of the major issues facing the network at the moment; 15 4-car electric trains would be great. The timetable planning is still in the exploratory “business case” phase, which looks at whether or not a project is feasible and how much it’ll cost to do.
More trains are good, and more trains coming more frequently is even better!
Rank #4: Wellington Rapid Transit Bus Corridors Programme
Sponsoring agencies: Greater Wellington Regional Council, Wellington City Council
Activity Classes: Public Transport Infrastructure, Walking And Cycling Improvements
Region: Greater Wellington, Wellington City
Official descriptions:
- Wellington Regional Rapid Transit Bus Corridors Programme – Regional Plan
- Development of an integrated plan / strategy for rapid transit bus corridors and bus prioritisation across the Greater Wellington region.
- Harbour Quays Bus Corridor
- Delivering a transitional Bus Prioritisation Corridor along Harbour Quays to alleviate pressure on the Golden Mile.
- Harbour Quays Stage 2 – Rapid Transit Bus Corridor
- Harbour Quays Stage 2 leverages the investment from Stage 1 which alleviated pressure on the Golden Mile enabling capacity for city wide bus network capacity growth. In Stage 2 we propose the construction of a dedicated bi-directional Rapid Transit Bus Corridor from the Railway Station to the Hospital / Island Bay.
- Eastern Bus Corridor
- Stage 1 investment enables high-capacity articulated buses and bus prioritisation for the CBD to Miramar / Airport, followed by Stage 2 submitted by Greater Wellington Regional Council.
- Eastern Corridor Stage 2 – Rapid Transit Bus Corridor
- Eastern Corridor Stage 2 leverages the investment from Stage 1 which enabled high-capacity articulated buses and bus prioritisation for the CBD to Miramar / Airport. In Stage 2 we envision the implementation of continuous bus priority from the CBD to Miramar / Airport.
- Wider WCC Bus Network Improvements
- Deliver bus prioritisation and wider bus network improvements across Wellington City. It will also explore the establishment of dedicated bus corridors in areas where we are seeing or anticipating significant growth and / or housing development.
- Prioritised Regional Busways Programme and Wider Bus Network Improvements
- The prioritised Regional Busways Programme will deliver bus prioritisation and wider bus network improvements across the region. It will also explore the establishment of dedicated bus corridors in areas where we are seeing or anticipating significant growth and / or housing development.
- Golden Mile Bus Stops and Shelters
- Upgrading infrastructure for all 10 bus stops along the Golden Mile, incorporating 8 new shelters, and consolidating stops to ensure faster travel times while accommodating increased passenger numbers and projected growth.
- Wellington Central City Walking and Cycling Upgrades
- Walking and cycling improvements along Wellington’s Central City corridors, coordinated with the Wellington Rapid Transit Bus Corridor Programme.
Project website:
https://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Documents/2024/05/Item-4-Wellington-Rapid-Transit-Bus-Corridors.pdf
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Better bus infrastructure is just about as important as better train infrastructure! Allowing more priority space for buses on our streets alleviates overall traffic congestion and helps meet sustainability and accessibility goals. A rapid bus corridor from the railway station to Newtown and Island Bay, and from the CBD to the airport, are particularly needed.
Notably, the activities here are a pretty even split between wider regional projects that will benefit all of Greater Wellington, and those focused more directly on Wellington City. So something to keep in mind if you’d like your own area to see higher priority (although most everyone has to come to the central city at some point)! All of these seem good to us.
Most of these are already in the early stages of implementation, with the exception of the first activity, which is initial planning.
Rank #5: Wellington Region Road of National Significance (1)
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements
Region: Wellington City, Greater Wellington
Official description:
- SH1 Second Mount Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve Upgrade
- Package of improvements to improve the efficiency of the state highway around the Basin Reserve and to provide a second Mt Victoria Tunnel that will improve local / regional / national access and to unlock housing growth.
- Wellington Share – Roads of National Significance Project Development
- To fund business case investigations for Roads of National Significance (across RoNS activities).
- Wellington Share – Roads of National Significance Property Purchase
- To fund property requirements for Roads of National Significance (across RoNS activities).
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Very little description here for the list’s most expensive project! Seeing “Second Mount Victoria Tunnel” and us saying “It’s about right” may seem odd, but the general thought here is: the current central government very much wants this to happen, making it very likely to be move ahead no matter what happens here. However, this will also enable grade separation, allowing the current bus priority lanes on Kent Terrace to extend fully through to the peninsula and around the Basin for better east-west and north-south travel.
We go into (far) more detail on the main post.
Rank #6: National Ticketing Solution (NTS)
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure, Public Transport Services
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
- National Ticketing Solution (NTS)
- Wellington Region’s implementation of the National Ticketing Solution, a national public transport ticketing and payments system which will operate on multiple modes of transport across Aotearoa.
- Fares and Ticketing Development
- Fare options require consultation. Introduction of new revenue protection strategy and new offboard service design model as the result of the National Ticketing Solution, as well as product developments (including fare product aimed at organizations providing subsidized public transport to staff).
Project website:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/public-transport/national-ticketing-solution/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
We’re always in favour of anything that makes public transport more accessible and appealing, and a nationally unified system that works across all modes while updating to allow for contactless payment sounds great. This is already in the early stages of implementation, so it’s likely to move forward regardless.
Also, Motu Move is a cute name.
Rank #7: Regional Cycle Network
Sponsoring agency: Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council
Activity Class: Walking and Cycling Improvements
Region: Greater Wellington
Official descriptions:
- Wellington Strategic Bike Network – Eastern Package (Evans Bay Stage 2 – NIWA to Cobham Dr)
- Poor cycling uptake, due to the perception that cycling is unsafe and inconvenient, is reducing cycling’s contribution to the transport system. Unforgiving infrastructure and poor road user behaviour is resulting in significantly higher than average rates of harm to people on bikes.
- Strategic Bike Network Development
- The lack of appropriate infrastructure and slow delivery to create a cohesive/complete cycling network is reducing the uptake of cycling, negatively affecting carbon reduction and health goals and resulting in significantly higher than average rates of harm for people on bikes. The programme implements the Paneke Pōneke Bike Network Plan to deliver a strategic citywide network of connected bike routes in order to improve safety for people on bikes, increase the role of cycling in the transport network, and improve environmental and health outcomes.
- Hutt City Cycling & Micromobility Connectivity Assessment
- This assessment is focused on the identification and development of local cycling and micromobility connections which link the core routes with key employment, education and transport hubs to encourage more people to cycle and scooter more often. As work on the three core cycle/micromobility routes progresses, it is important to work on these connections now in order to maximise the investment and promote increased, safe uptake of walking, cycling and micromobility in Hutt City.
- Porirua CBD to Titahi Bay Shared Path (New Phases)
- Construct a shared cycling and pedestrian pathway, and associated coastal resilience improvements along Titahi Bay Road.
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
[***CYCLING ALERT!***] This is a big bundle of cycling projects: two new cycling route links, expansion on the Paneke Pōneke Bike Network Plan, and planning for more connections in Hutt City. All seems good!
Rank #8: Wellington Region Road of National Significance (2)
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA, Hutt City Council
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements, Local Road Improvements, Walking and Cycling Improvements
Region: Hutt City
Official description:
- Petone to Grenada Link Road & Cross Valley Link
- Petone to Grenada will provide a new connection that will improve local / regional transport access, resilience and unlock housing growth between SH2 (near Petone / Lower Hutt) and SH1 (near Grenada / Tawa). Cross Valley Link will also provide a new connection to improve local transport access, resilience and unlock housing growth between SH2 (near Petone / Lower Hutt) and Lower Hutt’s Eastern Hills.
- Hutt City Cross Valley Connections
- Programme to improve the resilience of the southern Lower Hutt transport network, including active mode and public transport improvements, an increase in transport movement options at the intersection of Gracefield Road and Wainuiomata Hill Road and a new, more resilient multi-modal east-west connection further up the valley from the current Esplanade alignment. Further scope refinement may be required if national transport priorities change.
Project website:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/petone-to-grenada-link-road/
https://www.huttcity.govt.nz/council/our-projects/cross-valley-connections
Our recommendation:
This shouldn’t be included in the significant activities list
Our reasoning:
Hoo boy. This is our sole pushback, and we think it’s the best use of our combined voices. We go into even more detail on this project on the full post than we did on the Mt. Vic tunnel, and for good reason: it shouldn’t be here. We’d like to encourage the committee to take this back to the proper agencies and first address the problems according to NZTA’s established intervention hierarchy. It’s obvious why it’s here, being a certain local MP/now-Minister’s longtime pet project and headline campaign promise, but that doesn’t mean we need to support it.
Rank #9: Asset Control – Depots and Public Transport Assets
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official descriptions:
- Asset Control – Other Depot Opportunities
- Identifying and evaluating long-term options for bus depots, with locations dependent on land availability and/or opportunities. Greater Wellington ownership would remove the need for operators to provide a depot, therefore removing a barrier to entry for operators.
- Asset Control – Southern Depot Development
- Delivering a long-term option for a southern bus depot in Lyall Bay, to replace the earthquake prone depot that is reaching end of life in Kilbirnie.
- Wellington City Council Public Transport Assets
- Purchase of Lambton interchange assets, as controlling strategic public transport assets assures continuity of public transport services and customer / operator amenities.
- Bus and Rail Contract Tendering and Operating Model Changes
- Includes the cost for the Project Hihi project team, operating model changes, and the bus tendering contracts. Project Hihi includes the development of an asset control strategy that will be consulted on during Greater Wellington’s Long Term Plan process. Other activities include sustainable workforce and network optimisation projects.
Project website:
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Can’t have buses without a place to put ‘em.
Rank #10: Riverlink – Te Awa Kairangi Improvements
Sponsoring agencies: Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements, Walking and Cycling Improvements
Region: Lower Hutt
Official description:
- Riverlink Local Road Improvements
- Local road improvements for intersections of Ewen and Melling bridges (2 separate phases). Central city street improvements and CBD optimisation. Complements SH2 Melling intersection improvements funded through the NZ Upgrade programme, which is looking at ways to reduce congestion and improve access and safety on SH2 at the Melling and Block Road intersections. Cost estimation continues and values may be subject to further increase.
- Riverlink Walking & Cycling Improvements
- A new cycle and pedestrian bridge between the Lower Hutt CBD and relocated Melling Station. Complements SH2 Melling intersection improvements funded through the NZ Upgrade programme, which is looking at ways to reduce congestion and improve access and safety on SH2 at the Melling and Block Road intersections. Walking and cycling paths along river corridor with linkage to new cycling bridge. Cost estimation continues and values may be subject to further increase.
- Riverlink Land Purchase for Rail Station Replacement
- Purchase of the land to enable improved transport outcomes as part of the relocation of the Melling Station.
Project website:
https://teawakairangi.co.nz/our-projects/our-projects/mellingimprovements/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Although this seems at first to be a car-focussed programme, most of the funding for the large, complicated intersection being built has come from NZ Upgrade, not the RLTP here. The cycling and pedestrian routes, and land for a new train station, are welcome improvements to the area.
Rank #11: 1 Wellington Region Resilience Programme
Sponsoring agencies: Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Classes: Local Road Improvements, State Highway Improvements
Region: Hutt City, Wellington City
Official descriptions:
- Eastern Hutt Road Resilience Work
- Vulnerability to slopes above and below the road is leading to isolation of significant communities from essential services. This project focuses on resilience work along the Eastern Hutt road and in the Hutt Valley.
- Chaytor Street Retaining Walls Earthquake Resilience Strengthening
- Chaytor Street is a major transport route in and out of the city for Karori and Northland. High concrete retaining walls are present adjacent to Chaytor Street and these walls also support the lower sections of Raroa Crescent and Northland Tunnel Road. Analyses indicate the wall is marginally stable under seismic SLS load condition and likely to become unstable under ULS load conditions. Considerable damage to most of the wall and entire collapse of sections of the wall cannot be discounted.
- Kelburn Viaduct – Earthquake Resilience Strengthening
- Seismic strengthening of bridge to comply with the new (2022) National Seismic Hazard Model.
- Grosvenor Terrace Retaining Walls – Earthquake Resilience Strengthening (RW237 and RW243)
- Regional integrated road network resilience studies have shown that transport access to and within Wellington city will be disrupted by damage to the road network in large earthquake and storm events, leading to loss of access. This resilience project involves strengthening critical retaining walls identified along two of the most critical routes for emergency response and recovery – the Ngaio Gorge Road and Wadestown Route (Grant Road – Grosvenor Terrace). The retaining walls will be strengthened to make them more resilient to large earthquake and storm events.
- SH1 Ngauranga Gorge & SH2 Ngauranga to Dowse/Petone Resilience
- Improving critical resilience issues along key sections of the SH1 and SH2 Ngauranga Triangle. Resilience improvements will benefit PT and active mode infrastructure. Improvements could also provide state highway safety benefits.
Project website:
https://wellington.govt.nz/wellington-city/resilient-wellington/wellington-resilience-strategy
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
The pre-consultations in 2023 showed a higher demand for prioritising Resilience among our infrastructure, and these projects are all higher up in the ranking as a result. Retaining walls help slips and landslides, and bridge strengthening is important for obvious reasons.
Rank #12: Public Transport Accessibility Action Plan Programme
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official descriptions:
- Public Transport Network Accessibility Infrastructure Improvements
- Delivers accessibility improvements on the public transport network to target routes. Improvements include audio announcements on trains to identify which side the exit is on, automatic wheelchair ramps on buses, and announcements on arrival at a stop.
- Network Wayfinding and Accessibility Technology Programme
- As part of Greater Wellington’s public transport Accessibility Action Plan Programme, pilot and implement new technology aids that can support a better user experience and greater access for disabled people using public transport. Possible technologies include digital navigation aids at interchanges, using real-time information to view wheelchair space availability on the public transport fleet, and integration with third-party accessibility apps.
Project website:
https://www.metlink.org.nz/assets/Accessibility-content/Metlink-Accessibility-Action-Plan-Research-Plan.pdf
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Accessibility is an important part of our kaupapa – great transport should be equally accessible and convenient for all users. Frankly, most of these are overdue.
Rank #13: Bus Hubs and Layovers
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Wellington City, Johnsonville
Official descriptions:
- Wellington CBD Electric Vehicle Bus Layover/Depot
- Locate land and build a layover facility for up to 30 buses, including a driver rest facility and an EV opportunity charging facility (feasibility and concept design are required).
- Johnsonville Transport Hub Development
- To accommodate the growth in bus passenger demand as well as the extension of existing bus routes for certain areas of Johnsonville, proactive measures are required. These include ensuring sufficient space for buses to park and rest, along with provisions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. As part of the redevelopment with the land currently owned by Stride, building a public transport hub would accommodate this needed space and include layover/ driver break facilities.
Project website:
https://www.gw.govt.nz/your-region/news/greater-wellington-shares-short-term-and-long-term-visions-for-johnsonville-transport-hub/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Both of these are at the exploratory stage, but depots to accommodate more buses and drivers along growing routes, particularly in Johnsonville as an area of projected housing growth, is important. In fact, the Johnsonville Hub has been on the table for quite a while, but was pulled in 2017 in favour of other investments in the area’s shopping district.
Rank #14: Access Kenepuru (New Phases)
Sponsoring agency: Porirua City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Porirua
Official description:
A package of local road, walking and cycling improvements required due to the impact of
Transmission Gully motorway and significant residential and commercial growth in Kenepuru
Landing.
Project website:
https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-projects/kenepuru-corridor/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Although classed as “local road improvements” due to it being changes to a local road, the project includes new walking and cycling paths around Porirua Station and may pull some cars away from an already busy commercial street with lots of shared traffic (map here).
Rank #15: State Highway Value for Money Safety Improvements Programme
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
Roll out lower cost, value for money safety improvements on the state highway network,
including safety retrofits in high-risk corridors and intersections, and the design and delivery
of speed limit changes focused on areas of high safety concern. A key focus will be on signs
and markings, audio tactile pavement markings, intersection speed zones and shoulder
widening at high-risk locations to improve safety. NZTA will work in partnership with others,
including NZ Police, to support the delivery of regional enforcement and behaviour change
programmes targeted at speed, alcohol and drug impairment, and seat belt use. Increased
investment in maintenance and renewal activities will improve safety across the network.
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Some of these investments, such as speed zone adjustments and better markings, are natural places to improve as part of maintenance of our highways, but we do feel some concern at increased spending on policing bundled in here. However, even bumping this down the ranks is unlikely to see any change in the budget it receives.
Rank #16: Bus Network Growth to Meet Public Transport Demand
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Services
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
As the population increases and urban areas grow in size, network growth is required within
the bus network to meet public transport demand across the Wellington Region. Five areas
have been identified as needing new or additional bus routes to cater for suburb growth and
gaps in the public transport network.
Project website:
(we couldn’t find one, but would love to know which five areas they’ve identified!)
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Regardless of the lack of clarity in this description, more buses = good. Metlink has been lagging far behind demand, and with ridership continuing to steadily increase in the region, more routes running buses more actively will be needed.
Rank #17: Wellington Regional Hospital Travel Action Plan Initiative
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Services
Regions: Wellington City, Newtown
Official description:
A joint project with Te Whatu Ora to change travel behaviour associated with trips to and from
Wellington Regional Hospital. This will increase public transport and active mode share, and
improve network throughput (the number of people that can be moved along a particular
corridor).
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
This project’s specific aim is to decrease the amount of car traffic coming to and from the hospital for work, study, and medical services, which is good as Adelaide/Riddiford will be progressively upzoned with denser housing, and the road is one of the car priority vs. public transport priority battlegrounds for the city. (The original budget allocation in 2021 is a main part of what kicked it off) Happy to support continued steps in the right direction!
Rank #18: Kāinga Ora East Porirua Regeneration Programme
Sponsoring agencies: Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Classes: Local Road Improvements, Walking and Cycling Improvements, Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Porirua City
Official descriptions:
- Kāinga Ora East Porirua Regeneration Programme – Transport
- Deliver transport infrastructure improvements as part of the Eastern Porirua Regeneration project being undertaken by Kainga Ora and supported by Porirua City Council, NZTA and Greater Wellington. The project includes the redesign and reconfiguration of streets to support the redevelopment of state houses, town centres, schools and parks while significantly increasing the use of active modes and public transport.
- Porirua Bus Hub Improvements
- Improvements to address health and safety, security concerns and accessibility challenges.
Project website:
https://teranuidevelopment.co.nz
https://www.aurecongroup.com/projects/government/eastern-porirua-regeneration-project
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
This is a big package of improvements (check out the linked project website), but very good changes that encourage better housing and public spaces alongside transport and walking/cycling. This all alongside 2,000 new homes.
East Porirua is one of the region’s most diverse areas, but has historically been underfunded and underserved by community services and infrastructure. The ongoing Regeneration Programme is a joint project that seeks to finally address those equity gaps.
Rank #19: Fergusson Drive Arterial Link Improvements
Sponsoring agency: Upper Hutt City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Upper Hutt
Official description:
Intersection and other improvements to accommodate growing demand on the main route
linking Upper Hutt to the state highway and the wider Wellington Region.
Project website:
n/a
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Upper Hutt’s only individually sponsored project. These are basic road changes, with nothing to really recommend or oppose about them.
Rank #20: Paraparaumu Metropolitan Centre Connections
Sponsoring agency: Kāpiti Coast District Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Kāpiti
Official description:
- Kāpiti Road to Ihakara Street
- There are inadequate transport connections between State Highway 1, Ihakara Street (west), Kāpiti Road and Rimu Road, which impedes transport accessibility to the metropolitan centre and limits travel choice and economic development. The proposed road will reduce congestion and make it more efficient to move in and around the metropolitan centre encouraging more people to access key services and commercial activities promoting economic growth and increasing productivity. The proposed connection will also unlock a large key greenfield site which will enable a significant amount of residential housing and commercial and retail activity close to existing public transport networks and complementary activities. This connection will provide alternative routes, reduce traffic volumes and will promote mode shift for people by improving walking and cycling facilities, and overall safety for vulnerable users. With a developer contributing to the cost of the project this represents value for money
Project website:
https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/media/jb5ohp0l/structure_plan_for_paraparaumu_town_centre.pdf
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Took a while to reach something for poor, ol’ Kāpiti didn’t it? Feel free to suggest a higher priority here if you feel strongly moved to do so (although remember a low ranking doesn’t equal less funding necessarily).
This project has a good balance of goals: not only does the new connection made by extending the dead-end Ihakara Street divert some heavy traffic away from the town centre, but the proposed layout seems to encourage good mixed-use zoning between the newly expanded commercial area and new housing, all close to the train station.
Rank #21: SH59 Mackay’s to Linden
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements
Region: Tawa, Porirua City
Official description:
To support the next development phases that may be identified following completion of
NZTA’s 2023 / 2024 strategic review of the future function of SH59 following its decision not to
revoke SH1 (now SH59).
Project website:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/wellington-northern-corridor/sh59-sh58-connected-communities/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
This is essentially a necessary procedure since the old SH1 kept its designation as a national road, and thus becomes Waka Kotahi’s responsibility alongside Wellington’s. Not much to comment on.
Rank #22: SH2 Masterton South Commercial Vehicle Regional Safety Centre
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements
Region: Masterton
Official description:
More effective detection and enforcement on Masterton South will lead to the benefits of
improved RUC recovery, reduction in rollover and other crashes, reduced road wear and
reduction in freight supply chain disruption.
Project website:
n/a
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
There should be a lot less car traffic and better rail going into the Wairarapas, and better ways to move commercial freight in and out of the region, but many truck drivers will be braving those steep hairpins for the foreseeable future, so having a local CVSC able to respond to incidents is sensible.
Rank #23: Waterloo Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Lower Hutt
Official description:
Replace ageing and unsafe building infrastructure at Waterloo Station with a mixed-use
transport/commercial Transit Oriented Development.
Project website:
https://wrlc.org.nz/cdo/waterloo-pda
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
What’s interesting is this is the lowest-ranked project with a budget of over $100 million. The next one is all the way up at #9. It’s not surprising though, given the state of the existing Waterloo Station. Roof repairs a few years back found our region’s second-largest and second-busiest station (after Wellington Central) was in need of more than some simple patches. It was then identified as a good target for Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
TODs are, as their name implies, a term in urban development that refer to areas built around well-connected transit, and the planned upgrades are also meant to act hand-in-hand with Kainga Ora’s housing intensification work in the surrounding area.
If you use Waterloo Station for commuting, or live in the area and have strong feelings on its importance, by all means comment as such! Remember that the overall rankings are less important than A) how it stacks up against other activities in the same Class (in this case, Public Transport Infrastructure) and B) how it compares to what other regions across the country have asked to be prioritised.
Rank #24: Masterton North – Connecting Communities
Sponsoring agency: Masterton District Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Masterton
Official description:
This joint NZTA/MDC project seeks funding support for a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the evolving challenges posed by increased urbanization and rural residential development along the northern edge of Masterton. The initial phase involves preparing a single-stage business case lite, assessing recommended economic solutions. The project’s
scope includes a detailed analysis of infrastructure requirements, safety measures, and the integration of multimodal transport options. The project aims to establish a clear roadmap, aligning with strategic transport objectives while addressing the needs of both urban and rural communities in our district.
Project website:
(none immediately available)
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
As this is mainly a business case (that is, the initial research into making a plan), the actual project itself will become apparent later and can be spoken to at that time.
Rank #25: Hutt City Council LED Streetlights Upgrade
Sponsoring agency: Hutt City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Hutt City
Official description:
Upgrade old sodium streetlight luminaires to LED. This is in targeted areas where the majority
of streetlights have not been upgraded; other areas will wait until the old lights require
replacement.
Project website:
n/a
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Good and necessary work for road and footpath safety.
Rank #26: Wellington Transport Operations Centre Building Extension
Sponsoring agency: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
Activity Class: State Highway Improvements
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
The design and build of a new WTOC building to allow for the support of critical functions in
operating the SH network.
Project website:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/transport-operation-centres/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Waka Kotahi is likely to receive this type of funding regardless, and the Wellington TOC already exists so this is just adding onto what’s already there. No huge impact.
Rank #27: Smarter Network Technology and Innovation Programme
Sponsoring agency: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Activity Class: Public Transport Infrastructure
Region: Greater Wellington
Official description:
Several bespoke technology enhancements for the rail fleet and station, including WiFi
provision on trains, hardware LED strips at train stations, and full-width signage across
carriages.
Project website:
https://www.gw.govt.nz/your-region/news/metlink-real-time-information-system-set-for-overhaul/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
Already funded and underway, and should continue. Good usability and comfort upgrades to Wellington’s trains, stations, and rail network. Making public transportation more attractive is important, too!
Rank #28: Hutt City Transport Improvements – Local Road Parking Density
Sponsoring agency: Hutt City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Hutt City
Official description:
Development density (especially developments without off-street parking) has increased local
road on-street parking. A number of these roads need traffic assessments and road layout
changes. There are currently over 100 streets that need to be assessed. The layout changes
include street widening and resulting service relocations, kerb and channel realignments,
parking bays, turning bays, and loading zones.
Project website:
(none immediately available)
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
More on-street parking, and costly roadwork to accommodate it is not a major priority, but this can’t really get much lower on the list so it’s fine where it is.
Rank #29: Whitford Brown / Papakowhai Road Intersection Improvements
Sponsoring agency: Porirua City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvement
Region: Porirua City
Official description:
Upgrade of intersection signals to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Project website:
https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-projects/papakowhai-shared-path-and-whitford-brown-intersection/
Our recommendation:
It’s about right
Our reasoning:
These do in fact seem to be improvements to the ease and safety of walking and cycling in the area. Huzzah!
Rank #30: Lincolnshire Farm New Road
Sponsoring agency: Wellington City Council
Activity Class: Local Road Improvements
Region: Tawa, Johnsonville
Official description:
Construction of Lincolnshire Farm collector road from Mark Avenue in the south to Jamaica
Drive. This new road will connect the suburbs and cater for future urban development in the
area. The project area is located within the Lincolnshire Farm Development Area and is zoned
for future residential development.
Our recommendation:
Remove this from the list.
Our reasoning:
If you made it all this way, surprise! There’s actually a secret other project we feel shouldn’t be here at all. Similar to Petone/Grenada, this is a solution looking for a problem. WCC claims it’s “running out of space to build new homes,” but that’s carefully ignoring the many areas that can be intensified — and thanks to the recent LTP, even more areas are now zoned for it.
What’s not mentioned here, but we do touch on over in the main post, is that all this greenfield is owned by one family that’s been landbanking it for decades, and WCC would be paying for the actual development and infrastructure costs for decades to come. This road is but the start, but there’s no need to give any ground, or cash, to this project. Not coincidentally, the private landowners would benefit greatly from the proposed Petone/Grenada link, which would directly pass through their holdings.
Bonus! The Secret 6th Group: External Funding
As alluded to at the top of this (very long) post, here’s the 14 projects which all have the additional Activity Class of “External Funding.” Only two of them mention it in the main tables: Asset Control – Southern Depot Development (#9) and Paraparaumu Metropolitan Centre Connections – Kāpiti Road to Ihakara Street (#20). The majority of these are getting Crown funding, but not all. We feel it’s worth mentioning, so here they are:
- Asset Control – Southern Depot Development
- External funding source: Crown ($18.05m contribution from CERF Decarbonisation Fund)
- Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility
- Horizons Regional Council Crown (Ministry of Transport)
- Bus Driver Terms and Conditions
- Crown
- Wellington Regional Hospital Travel Action Plan Initiative
- Te Whatu Ora
- Eastern Bays shared path
- Crown
- Paraparaumu Metropolitan Centre Connections Implementation
- Property Developer (who owns the land and is contributing $5 million)
- Wairarapa Rail Upgrades
- Crown
- Wellington Station Safety
- Crown
- Eastern Porirua Regeneration project
- Kāinga Ora
- SH2 Melling Efficiency and Safety Improvement
- NZ Upgrade Programme
- SH58 Safety Improvements – Stage 2
- NZ Upgrade Programme
- Te Ara Tupua Ngā Ūranga – Pito-One
- Crown
- Low Cost, Low Risk Improvements 2024-27 – Crown Resilience Programme
- Crown
- Transport Choices – Wellington City Council transport package (Paneke Pōneke)
- Crown
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