Revised Melling Interchange plan raises further questions

Saturday, 8 June 2024

An artist’s impression of the revised design for the Melling Interchange.

A “revised concept design” of the Melling Interchange at Lower Hutt has caused a furore on social media and raised questions about when it would be built.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) released an “artist’s impression” of the SH2 interchange on Thursday and a statement saying the agency was working hard with contractors to come up with a final design.

Regional manager of systems design Kesh Keshaboina said that once a final design is in place, the contractors would go to the market to find out what it would cost to build.

Construction was now scheduled to begin in early 2025, he said.

The long stalled interchange was part of the RiverLink project, which had a budget of $700m.

A previous plan of the Melling Interchange and RiverLink from April 2022.

In March both the Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington withdrew from the project citing frustration over the model being used to deliver the project.

A new Melling Bridge is required for the Melling Interchange.

Hutt City is concentrating on urban renewal and Greater Wellington flood protection and improving public transport.

The project has had a number of starting dates and circulation of the design met with scepticism on Lower Hutt social media pages.

Axel Alexander was one of many who expressed doubts. “Another 10 year project that will have a budget blowout.”

Cr Brady Dyer posted a copy of the design and also responded to questions about a proposed cycling/walking bridge over the Hutt River.

NZTA regional manager of systems design Kesh Keshaboina said upgrading the Melling Intersection is a priority.

Although it is included in a flyover provided by Waka Kotahi, Dyer confirmed that it is still unclear if it is in the final design.

“We (Hutt City) have put our half into the budget and are waiting for NZTA to confirm they are still 51% funding their half. It has to happen though as the train station has to be relocated, and that is all funded by GWRC.“

Chair of the regional council’s Te Awa Kairangi subcommittee, Ros Connelly, said it was great to get more certainty around the Melling Interchange, as the community have been waiting for the plans for a long time.

She remains concerned, however, about the pedestrian/cycling bridge that links a relocated Melling Station to central Lower Hutt.

Improving transport options had always been a priority to Greater Wellington and she said that if Waka Kotahi does not fund it, a key objective of the project would be lost.

On Friday Keshaboina confirmed that the city link bridge “remains part of the wider” project being driven by the Hutt City Council.

Over the years there have been many “artists impression” of what RiverLink would look like.

So what is happening with the Melling Interchange?

The Post asked Waka Kotahi for clarification on the design released on Thursday.

We were referred to a number of reports, one of which states: “The consented design for the State Highway 2 Melling interchange has been revised…to identify where improvements could be made.”

A NZTA flyover of the design includes “a new city link bridge” connecting the relocated Melling Station with Lower Hutt.

A NZTA social media page on the latest design for the interchange drew more than 450 comments, including one from the Minister of Infrastructure Chris Bishop:“Exciting.”

Cheilyn Ineleo was less enthusiastic. “Took 10 years to draw it, I wonder how long it’ll take to actually build it.”

Tony Lucie-Smith had a similar view. “…years after funding was approved you finally have a design. We’ve been hearing that construction was due to start ‘next year’ for a long time now. I’ll believe it when I see the first diggers in action. Until then - not impressed.“