Wellington City Council taking over some projects from Let’s Get Wellington Moving

Wellington City Council is taking the lead on some projects that were formerly part of Let’s Get Wellington Moving – a partnership between Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Wellington City Council, which was dissolved in early 2024.  

Wellington’s geography, compact city and small number of road networks mean we continue to face transport challenges and need to keep working toward moving more people more efficiently. We’re continuing work on three of the former programme’s projects to help achieve this: 

• the Golden Mile retail and commercial strip, starting at the entertainment hub of Courtenay Place and working along Willis and Manners Streets to the Parliament end of Lambton Quay 
• the commuter route along Thorndon Quay from Bunny St to the Aotea Quay overbridge at 87 Hutt Road, and
• the Aotea Quay roundabout.  

Due to budget constraints, we’re considering whether the project to improve the remainder of Hutt Road from the Aotea Quay overbridge at 87 Hutt Road to the Jarden Mile intersection should be withdrawn. The Mayor and Councillors will decide about that in June as part of the 10-year Long-term Plan process. Designs will be completed for the Jarden Mile intersection and for a cycleway connection between the Te Ara Tupua shared path and Hutt Road, but any future construction of these elements will go through a separate consultation process.

What’s happening with the Golden Mile? 

This project aims to improve bus reliability and provide opportunities for walking, cycling and more open spaces. It includes better lighting, wider footpaths, more public seating, outdoor dining and more. It’ll be more vibrant, welcoming and safer to get around our city’s busiest pedestrian area and our prime employment, shopping and entertainment destination. 

The Council is currently reviewing the planning completed so far on the Golden Mile and preparing for construction. We’re intending that the revitalisation works will start at Courtenay Place and are working to build a schedule for this. We’ll make sure that residents and businesses get the timeframes and information they need well before any construction work starts and we’ll work hard to minimise disruption. 

There have been several rounds of engagement about Golden Mile with stakeholders, businesses and the public since 2019. Councillors approved the design, traffic changes and funding share for the project in June 2023. The government’s funding share was approved in July 2023. 

You’ll find updates about the Golden Mile project on our website.

What’s happening with Thorndon Quay? 

Each day during the week, about 10,000 people travel along Thorndon Quay by bus and about 1300 people by bike. Construction is underway for improvements including peak-hour bus lanes, a two-way cycle path, six signalised pedestrian and bike crossings, and improved lighting and planting. There will be fewer parks along the route and some parking time restrictions. 

We’re doing the construction in sections and there will usually be two places along the route being worked on at any one time until we’re due to finish in June 2025. Businesses on Thorndon Quay remain easy to get to during construction and we’re putting up extra signs to show people where to park. The road will be open to two-way traffic during the day and there will be single lane with stop / go traffic control during some nights. 

Consultation on the proposals for Thorndon Quay first started in May 2021 and in November 2022 a public consultation on the designs and traffic changes was held. This was approved by Council’s Koata Hātepe, our Regulatory Processes Committee in August 2023. Construction started late last year. 

You’ll find updates about the Thorndon Quay project on our website.

What’s happening with the Aotea Quay roundabout?  

We’re building a new roundabout at Aotea Quay to take traffic off Hutt Road and onto the State Highway. It’s been under construction since mid-2023 and will be finished at the end of April 2024. 

The new roundabout will mean people driving can get to the ferry terminal from State Highway 1, rather than using Hutt Road. Trucks and other vehicles coming from the north will be able to stay on State Highway 1 and have a safe place to turn to reach the ferry terminal. It will also help trucks entering the container terminal, and provide safe places for people walking, scooting and on bikes to cross. 

You’ll find updates about the Aotea Quay roundabout on our website.