Work on major Wellington cycleway ramps up

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Work is about to begin on a bridge over the rail line at the southern end of the $312m shared pathway and seawall, being built between Wellington and Petone.

Construction is about to begin on one of the major features of the $312 million Ngā Ūranga to Pito-one shared pathway and seawall, a large new bridge.

Piles will soon go in to support a 211-metre-long bridge that will go over the railway line. Its design needed to take into account the railway corridor, overhead electrical lines and the proximity of the Wellington fault line.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager Jetesh Bhula said it was an exciting part of the project and a lot of work had gone into the design, a complex process, in part, due to the proximity of the Wellington fault.

The bridge also needed to be able to accommodate construction traffic and emergency vehicles, while also being the conduit for walkers and cyclists, connecting with the coastal shared path.

Commuters between Petone and Ngauranga should get used to seeing some big cranes as work on the seawall and shared path between Petone and Wellington ramps up.

The piles will be dug up to 20 metres into the ground to carry the weight of the bridge.

As well as massive cranes and pile-driving equipment, Bhula said commuters would see a lot of activity at the Petone end.

“The reclaimed land we are constructing the bridge on meant that the bridge piles needed to be larger than usual to ensure the integrity of the structure in the event of an earthquake.”

Two of the cranes that will do the heavy lifting.

Despite its proximity to the rail line and State Highway 2 he was confident there would be little impact on commuters.

“We will keep road disruptions to a minimum and train schedules will not be affected by the work.”

Work on the project began in March 2023 and, unlike other major projects in the region, there had been no cost overruns (so far).

It is expected to be finished in 2026 and cycling advocates predict that with the number of electric bicycles growing rapidly, it will be a popular option for commuters between the two cities.

It will also be part of a cycle network that begins at Wellington Airport and goes all the way to Eastbourne, and is part of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. The seawall will also increase resilience – better protecting the rail line from storm and sea surges, and future proofing for sea level rise associated with climate change.