Project purpose
The proposed highway will provide an alternative strategic road link into and out of Wellington and thus improve regional network and route security. The objectives of the project are:
- To provide an alternative strategic link for Wellington that improves regional network security
- To assist in remedying the current safety concerns and projected capacity problems on the existing State Highway 1 by providing a safe, reliable and more responsive route between Linden and MacKays Crossing
- To assist in the wider economic development of the Wellington Region by providing a cost-effective route that better provides for the through movement of freight and people
- To allow the existing State Highway 1 to be developed into a safe and multi-functional alternative to the proposed new strategic link by the implementation of appropriate traffic and travel demand management measures on the road network.
Benefits
The proposed highway will assist in remedying the projected capacity problems and current safety/expansion concerns on the existing State Highway 1. It will provide a route that is more resilient to natural disasters (earthquakes, storms, tsunamis etc) than the existing coastal highway. Communities along the existing SH1 will benefit from the anticipated removal of through traffic.
Features
Heading south on State Highway 1, the preferred Transmission Gully route starts just south of MacKays Crossing, curving left up the Te Puka Stream valley and over the Wainui Saddle. It follows Horokiri Stream down to Battle Hill Farm Forest Park and on past Pauatahanui Golf Course. The route swings west to cross over State Highway 58 about 600 metres southeast of the existing Pauatahanui roundabout. It climbs to the headwaters of Duck Creek, runs above the creek, and crosses Cannons Creek near the Takapu Road electricity sub-station. The route then follows the hills above Ranui Heights before dropping down through plantation forest opposite Kenepuru Hospital to join State Highway 1 at Linden.
