This page provides information on the construction programme and likely impacts associated with delivery of the SH2 Melling Transport Improvements, part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi.
The establishment of worksites started in September 2025 alongside some early construction activities and ground improvements. Construction work on the interchange and bridge will increase from 2026 and is set to conclude in 2031. Demolition of the old bridge is expected to take place in 2032.
The information prepared below highlights main activities and impacts through to January 2026 that are associated with this project. We’ll review and update this as activities and timeframes are confirmed, as well as providing regular updates, changes and other news via our channels.
Information on this page was last updated on 18 November 2025.
Information about the overall coordinated construction programme(external link)
| Timeframes | What's happening | Where | Who is responsible for the work | Disruption/impact |
|
Already happening and is ongoing |
Small scale site investigation works, e.g. drilling new boreholes for ground water monitoring |
Various sites around the city and river |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Occasional, minor changes to access or parking – typically only for a few hours |
|
From September 2025 |
Site establishment for SH2 and Melling Interchange including:
|
Western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River near Melling |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Minimal disruption, limited to site areas only |
|
From October 2025 |
Main sewer lining and water main relocation |
Pharazyn St area |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Expect minor traffic management on Pharazyn St |
|
From mid October 2025 |
Closure of western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor for site establishment for Melling Link Bridge and SH2 works |
River corridor area between Block Rd and approx. 800m south of Belmont School |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
All users including walkers and cyclists will need to use a temporary path on the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. |
|
From mid October to early December 2025 |
Installation of ground water monitoring equipment |
Various sites around the city |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Minimal disruption, limited to site areas only |
|
From November 2025 |
Relocating underground services to prepare for construction |
Rutherford St / Queens Dr area |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Expect traffic management and restricted access to the riverbank and shared path areas |
|
From November 2025 |
Earthworks begin to prepare for the new SH2 southbound offramp into Lower Hutt |
North of Melling SH2 / Bridge intersection, next to the southbound lanes |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
No access to the riverbank area |
|
From 26 December 2025 |
Melling Station closes |
Melling Station and line between Melling Station and Normandale Bridge |
Greater Wellington / Te Awa Kairangi Alliance / Metlink |
People who usually travel to/from Melling Station will need to make alternative travel plans for the new year |
|
From January 2026 |
Closure of:
|
Queens Drive, Block Road, Pharazyn Street, part of Riverbank car park |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
These closures will have a major effect on how people move around the city. We encourage drivers to plan their journeys accordingly. |
|
From January 2026 |
Installation of around 2km of temporary steel safety barriers in the left southbound shoulder of State Highway 2 |
Starting from approximately 500m north of the Block Road / Tirohanga Road intersection, and finishing at Normandale Bridge |
Te Awa Kairangi Alliance |
Road will be realigned, making lanes slightly narrower, and dropping the speed limit to 70km/h. Main impact is to on-road cyclists who will need to exit SH2 at Kennedy Good Bridge and use the Hutt River Trail or local roads though the city.T |
