The heart of the project included a major new interchange providing better connectivity to the state highway from Hutt Road and Dowse Drive as well as a new overbridge from Korokoro to Hutt Road.
To reduce delays and improve safety to a section of SH2 through Lower Hutt.
Dowse to Petone provides a more expressway-style section of state highway in Lower Hutt providing less friction between highway traffic and people travelling. It also provides better access to Percy Scenic Reserve at the base of Dowse Drive, improved access and parking to Petone Station and a parallel service road to the state highway to provide for vehicles access and exiting the Korokoro industrial area.
The Dowse Drive to Petone section of SH2 is bounded by severe physical and operational constraints. Along its western edge, the route is located at the foot of the scarp of the Wellington Fault (also known as the 'western escarpment'). To the east, the Wairarapa and Melling Branch railway lines run the full length of this section of the highway. The section of SH2 between the Korokoro intersection and the Petone overbridges runs through the Korokoro industrial area.
This project was completed in 2009.
A grade-separated interchange with raised roundabout over SH2 at Dowse Drive with a connection to Hutt Road and Dowse Drive; an overbridge replaced the traffic signals at Korokoro connecting Petone and Korokoro; and an upgrade of the section of SH2 between Korokoro and the Petone overbridges providing a raised central curbed median to separate north and southbound lanes.
Work also included the re-arrangement of the Petone Railway Station's existing Park and Ride carpark and the provision of an access bridge over SH2 and service road through to Cornish Street to provide access to the industrial area and Korokoro; no access to private properties from SH2 between Korokoro and Petone. The long term upgrade for SH2 between Korokoro and Petone overbridges includes the construction of a median barrier on SH2, the closure of Cornish Street to SH2 and the upgrade of the Petone Overbridge.
The Transport Agency's project to upgrade SH2 between Dowse Drive and Petone includes:
These plans and the options considered were developed through a public consultation programme.
1.5m wide shoulders provide space for cyclists to cycle out of the flow of traffic.
CloseIt is anticipated that there will be less northbound traffic using Hutt Road from Petone to Wakefield Street; though an increase in Hutt Road traffic north is Wakefield Street is expected.
CloseIt is anticipated that many motorists will use Dowse Interchange as their gateway to and exit from Hutt City, therefore slightly reducing the traffic in these areas.
CloseMotorists will need to travel south to Ngauranga Interchange in order to safely turn to head north.
CloseThe new Hutt Road roundabout which allows Hutt Road traffic to enter and exit Dowse Interchange has been designed to cater for increased traffic volume should a cross valley link road become a reality.
CloseYes. The bottom of the Korokoro Bridge splits into two lanes so that left turning traffic is not held up by right turning traffic. The traffic island that prevented the right hand turn is removed to allow motorists a direct southbound route along Hutt Road. The amount of traffic travelling both along Hutt Road and from Korokoro will be reduced from what it is now, making this turn easier than in the past. However motorists are still free to follow the current left hand turn route if they find the right hand turn too difficult.
CloseNo. There is not room for a roundabout at this intersection. Traffic signals are not deemed necessary at this stage as the amount of traffic travelling both along Hutt Road and from Korokoro will be significantly reduced. Motorists are still free to follow the current left hand turn route if they find the right hand turn too difficult.
CloseDirect access to SH2 northbound is provided via Priests Ave. There is not room between the cemetery and the railway line to fit in a South bound link. Motorists can travel a short distance north to Dowse Interchange to turn around, or travel south to the Petone Roundabout using Hutt Road.
CloseThere are over 170 car parks in the final design at Petone park n Ride on the rail side of SH2. Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently looking in to acquiring some land on the other side of the footbridge for further commuter car parking.
CloseThere is a footpath on the south side of the Dowse Interchange structure and there is a staircase from the structure directly to the odd numbered side of Hutt Road (note these are missing from the 3D illustrations on this website).
CloseHutt City Council has relocated these bins to a site on Wakefield Street.
CloseThe Melling Interchange is not part of the D2P Project. The NZTA aims to have this Interchange prepared for public consultation by the end of 2010.
CloseCornish Street becomes left in only from SH2. Vehicles entering from the North will enter using Pito-One Road, which runs parallel to SH2 under the hill. All vehicles will exit Cornish Street using Pito-One Road.
CloseDowse Interchange and Korokoro Overbridge both have clearances of over 6m.
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D2P Project Office |
0800 D2P 555 |
The construction phase of the D2P project in any area |
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NZTA |
NZTA Wellington Regional Office: |
SH2 outside the D2P project, such at the Petone Overbridge and Melling |
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Greater Wellington Regional Council |
04 384 5708 |
Petone railway station |
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Hutt City Council |
Call Centre: |
All roads in Lower Hutt City other than SH2 |
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Metlink |
0800 801 700 |
Public bus and train services and timetables |
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Ontrack |
04 495 3000 |
Railway lines |
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New Zealand Police |
Lower Hutt Police: |
Vehicle speed on Hutt City roads and SH2 |
