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RiverLink's vision for Lower Hutt

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Turning the vision of RiverLink into reality

RiverLink has reached another milestone!

Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council now have in place the design for riverworks and the promenade, and funding is committed in their Long Term Plans.

The RiverLink team recently presented the preliminary design to the Greater Wellington Regional Council's Hutt Valley Flood Management Subcommittee and the Hutt City Council Development Committee. Both councils committed to the preliminary design and funding to deliver RiverLink.  In 2019 we will start seeking the necessary resource consents.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford received an onsite briefing recently. It was a great opportunity to welcome him and discuss how RiverLink has the potential to transform Lower Hutt. 

One aspect of a significant project such as RiverLink is making sure that programme outcomes align with the government’s land transport system investment strategy. Taking a fresh look at transport priorities provides an opportunity to maximise project outcomes. An opportunity was recently taken to discuss the importance of RiverLink to the Lower Hutt community.

While the NZ Transport Agency consider how the new vision for the transport network might apply to the Melling transport improvements project, its full steam ahead for geotechnical investigations.

The rest of 2018 will be busy for RiverLink as we gather geotechnical information about what’s under the ground. This will help us protect the aquifer as we refine our designs. You can read more about this below.

You will also see some activity around Belmont School with the construction of a trial wetland. One of the most important aims of RiverLink is to keep our river healthy. Constructed wetlands will filter stormwater runoff before it reaches Te Awa Kairanga / Hutt River.

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Geotechnical investigations underway

This month, the RiverLink team will start investigations to better understand the geotechnical complexities of the Hutt Valley. This work will inform the design of the new stopbanks, a large retaining wall which will support the promenade, piers and abutments for the pedestrian cycle bridge and help us understand the costs for building a highway interchange and new Melling bridge.

We also expect the findings to help us understand how a nearby major fault line could impact our designs and how best to protect the aquifer beneath the surface. 

"From August to October 2018 you can expect to see all manner of machinery both in and around the river. We’ll use excavators, drill rigs and other geophysics equipment – all in accordance with resource consent conditions," says Alistair Allan, Greater Wellington Regional Council. 

This work will take place on both sides of the river from just upstream of Melling Bridge to the Ewen Bridge. The  map below shows where the work will be done.

At some locations, there will at times be limited access to the river. There will be traffic management in place along Daly Street and the Melling railway station carpark while work is done at these locations. More details about what to expect will be available closer to the time.

If you want to know more about the upcoming geotechnical work, please contact:

Lucy Ashford
Engineering GeologistStantec,
P: 027 562 7228
E: lucy.ashford@stantec.com

Genevieve Drake
Communications Advisor
RiverLink
P: 021 676 425
E: riverlink@gw.govt.nz.

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Shift in Government transport priorities prompts fresh look at Melling transport improvements

Every three years, the government issues an investment strategy on the land transport system called the Government Policy Statement on land transport, also known as the GPS. The GPS is a document that guides land transport investment over a ten year period. Transport investments have long lead times, high costs and leave long legacies. Good transport investments therefore require careful planning to ensure that today’s transport network will be able to meet our future needs.

The new GPS 2018 is committed to creating an efficient, modern and resilient transport system for New Zealand, across all transport modes and reflects this new approach through four clear priorities:

  • a safer transport network free of death and injury
  • accessible and affordable transport
  • reduced emissions and
  • value for money.

The NZ Transport Agency are now working with councils and others to realise the new vision for the transport network outlined in GPS 2018. This work means taking a fresh look at transport investments across the country, including the Melling transport improvements project, to ensure that they align with the new priorities of GPS 2018.

At this stage, the Transport Agency cannot say how the Melling project plans will be affected until the process of carefully looking at the options is further along. Some projects may need to bring amended plans back to the community to allow them to have input and express their views. To ensure that this work is robust and delivers the best outcomes, the process is expected to take approximately three to six months.

In undertaking this work, the Transport Agency will take into account the outcomes that are the priority for the Wellington region as set out in the Regional Land Transport Plan.

The Transport Agency's team will complete the work as quickly as possible while not compromising quality. We will update you again as soon as we are able to share more. Updates will be published on the Transport Agency website as it becomes available here.

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More information

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For more information on the RiverLink project visit our website www.riverlink.co.nz or send our team an email at riverlink@gw.govt.nz

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