As part of Te Aranui o Te Rangihaeata – the Transmission Gully motorway project, we’re building a 1.7 kilometre extension of State Highway 59 (SH59) from north of Paekākāriki to Mackays Crossing.
Work commenced early in 2023 on the southern intersection and re-building of the offline section of the corridor which had originally been built and used during the construction of the new motorway.
The new part of SH59 runs parallel to the new motorway, and will form a key connection for the local community, cyclists and other users that can’t use a motorway and have no other road connection (other than tracks through Queen Elizabeth Park).
A small section of SH1 Transmission Gully Motorway between Paekākāriki and Mackays Crossing interchanges was specially gazetted to allow cyclists and other users who can’t usually use motorways, as the alternative route was unavailable. This will be reverted to access-restricted motorway after the SH59 extension opens.
Map of project
View/download larger map [PDF, 317 KB]
Upcoming work
Our planned works scheduled to complete the extension of SH59 between Paekākāriki and Mackays Crossing will begin on Sunday 17 September.
Regular users of this route will see roadworkers preparing on Whareroa Rd, between the Emerald Glen Road roundabout and rail crossing near Queen Elizabeth Park for the opening the new section of SH59 – work on the highway will also be underway simultaneously.
Please expect directional lane closures as well as no right turn from the northbound offramp at Mackays Crossing during this phase of the programme.
The directional travel restrictions and associated detours are necessary due to the complexity of this worksite. Traffic management has been planned to ensure the safety of roadworkers and the public alike. Closing the road as planned means we can get a lot more work done in a shorter space of time while still maintaining some access through this area.
Extension of SH59 - Phase 1 works (Whareroa Road)
View/download larger map [PDF, 292 KB]
Advice for motorists
- Motorists travelling north to Whareroa Farm or Emerald Glen Road should stay on State Highway 1, detour via the highway to Poplar Avenue and back, exiting at the southbound Mackays Crossing offramp (approximately a six-minute detour).
- Heavy vehicles are encouraged to use state highways and should not use the Mackays Crossing layby area.
- If you are travelling to Queen Elizabeth Park, please take extra care when using the northbound Mackays Crossing offramp and passing through worksites.
- Paekākāriki residents are encouraged to use SH59 for travel to and from Wellington.
- All drivers must follow temporary speed limits and directions from roadworkers.
All updates will be communicated on the Waka Kotahi Facebook and Twitter accounts:
Advice for pedestrians and cyclists
- Pedestrians and cyclists can continue to use the existing path in both directions as normal.
- Please follow any advice or instructions given by roadworkers.
When will work be completed?
Work will be ongoing from Monday to Friday during the day and from Sunday to Thursday overnight.
We anticipate all four phases to be completed by mid-November.
We apologise for any disruption and thank you for your patience as we complete this work.
