Published 21/03/2025
Traffic delays expected as cricial works underneath State Highway 2 start soon
Wellington Water will begin critical works to line a section of an aging wastewater pipe underneath State Highway 2 (SH2) in three weeks.
Works are expected to take place 24/7 for two weeks from 12 April 2025, depending on the weather conditions. This period coincides with the school holidays and Easter/ANZAC when traffic volumes are generally lower.
These works are important to prevent a failure of the pipeline which could lead to significant environmental, traffic, and public health impacts.
To ensure the safety of workers and road users, traffic management will be in place between Melling Link and Kennedy Good Bridge.
One northbound lane will be closed and speed limits will be reduced.
To balance the traffic impacts on all lanes and local roads, one southbound lane will be converted into a northbound lane. This means there will be two northbound lanes towards Lower Hutt/Upper Hutt and one southbound lane towards Wellington City.
This traffic layout has been chosen because the morning peak traffic is more spread out and there are more easily accessible alternative routes for the southbound travelling public. The layout and spacing of the intersections also make managing southbound traffic queues easier.
Other key impacts to road users and residents in the Western Hills area would include the closure of Block Road to all traffic except buses and emergency services and no turn out of Tirohanga Road onto SH2.
As we finalise the traffic management plan, we will be able to share more details and areas on SH2 that will be most impacted.
Regular updates before and during the works will be provided on Wellington Water’s website and social media platforms. Relevant stakeholders and our council partners will also be sharing updates across their channels.
We know that these works can be disruptive and frustrating, and we are making every effort to minimise the disruptions as much as possible.
We ask the public to please be patient with us as we carry out this important work and plan ahead for significant delays, especially during peak times.
We know that these works can be disruptive and frustrating, and we are making every effort to minimise the disruptions as much as possible. We ask the public to please be patient with us as we carry out this important work and plan ahead for significant delays, especially during peak times.
Editor notes
Wellington Water is owned and fully funded by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, and Upper Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and South Wairarapa District Council. All six councils are equal shareholders.
Our councils own the water infrastructure in the region, and they task us to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.
Wellington Water is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board and our organisation receive overall leadership and direction from the Wellington Water Committee, which are also responsible for appointing members to the Board.
The Wellington Water Committee is made up of representatives from our council owners and mana whenua.