Two new tunnels: Government announces Wellington preference

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Two new tunnels are planned for Wellington as Transport Minister Simeon Brown confirms the preferred options for how residents get around.

Brown announced on Tuesday afternoon the board of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi had decided what it wanted for the city: A 0.7km Mount Victoria Tunnel parallel to the existing tunnel, a 0.5km Terrace Tunnel parallel to the existing tunnel, extending the Arras tunnel under the Pukeahu National War memorial, and changes for traffic around the Basin Reserve.

The board of the agency had decided against pursuing a previously discussed long tunnel under the city, which Brown had said could save up to 15 minutes for people travelling to the airport and be built with much less disruption to the city centre.

Brown said Wellington was 'heavily congested at peak times, with forecast population growth across the region expected to increase travel demand across the network“.

“Without improvements to this critical route, within ten years the region could be looking at travel time increases of up to 50% between Ngāūranga and the airport,” he said, in a statement.

But some city leaders were cautious about, or outright opposed, the decision to build more roading in central Wellington, with the mayor and councillors issuing a call for an integrated transport plan from the Government.

“At first glance I would be concerned if these changes mean we are just funnelling more cars into our already busy city streets,” said mayor Tory Whanau.

Brown promised the projects would lead to significant time savings, roughly 10 minutes, for people travelling from Wellington’s northern suburbs to the city centre, hospital, and airport.

The time savings would be minutes greater, he said, for people travelling by bus from Island Bay to the railway station, and from Miramar into the city centre.

Whanau, in a statement, said she needed to see more detail from the Government about its plan.

“I do support the Basin Reserve improvements and am keen to work with the Government on the potential to unlock more housing development around that area.

“Ultimately, what we need for Wellington is an integrated transport plan that has some infrastructure improvements like these, combined with more investment in buses and trains to reduce congestion and emissions.”

Wellington City councillor Iona Pannett, who represents the inner-city Pukehīnau/ Lambton ward, recalled political battles from the previous three decades over road-building in the centre city she had been involved in, including the Basin Reserve flyover which was killed off due to opposition.

“I would like to congratulate the National Government on their recycling efforts, because that's what they do every time they come into Government, they bring back this failed system of roading.

“This announcement today worries me, like because it doesn't for say what they're going to do to the Basin. This is a nationally significant area.”

She said what was needed instead was light rail, a “second spine” through the city, as there was not enough bus capacity to carry residents.

Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Daran Ponter said it was “good to have a decision” that would unlock traffic through the city’s Eastern and Southern suburbs.

“In the long-term enhanced public transport provision needs to be in the mix,” he said.

“Greater Wellington Regional Council and WCC [Wellington City Council] are leaning into this with proposals for bus lanes on the Harbour Quays and Eastern suburbs.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council transport committee chairperson Thomas Nash also said an integrated transport plan was needed.

“I would be a bit concerned if there is an approach where new, very expensive urban highway works are essentially pumping more road traffic into Te Aro, into Vivian St, without funding properly, the alternatives on bus and rail that would relieve that congestion.”

He said the regional council had put together a $270 million bus and rail infrastructure plan and sought, and was denied, 51% funding from the Government.

“I worry that you get these standalone investments that aren't really integrated with the way people want to get around the city.”

Wellington National MP Nicola Willis, also the finance minister, said a duplicate Terrace Tunnel would help “ease the frustrations caused by congestion when travelling southbound and enable faster and safer transportation of people and freight.

“This expanded package also includes upgrades to the Basin Reserve to reduce travel times and improve reliability for commuters.”

Brown said tunnels and highway changers would be consented in its entirety -- the project has been included in the Government’s fast-track project list -- and built in stages.

An investment case would be produced and delivered to the NZTA board in mid-2025.