A team of ecologists from Tonkin and Taylor, working on behalf of RiverLink, will be gathering field data on the existing local habitat around the boundary of properties in the Western Hills area this week. The ecology survey is on public land and their work will involve recording observations and taking photos of plants and wildlife in the area. The information they collect will be used to assess the environmental effects of projects planned as part of RiverLink.

RiverLink is currently at the consenting phase and we are working to develop the design for RiverLink and preparing to apply for resource consents. During this stage we are also starting to consider construction plans. As the project progresses we will provide further updates.

To recap on recent developments and the project’s aims:

Melling Transport Improvements

In January 2020 the Government announced the NZ Upgrade Programme – a major infrastructure funding package. This includes funding for transport improvements at Melling, which will be delivered by the Transport Agency, as part of RiverLink. Construction is expected to begin in late 2022 and be completed in 2026. The transport improvements will include a new Melling interchange, relocating the Melling train station, and better walking and cycling links.

Flood Protection

RiverLink’s flood protection work, delivered by Greater Wellington Regional Council, is expected to safeguard residents from large flood events that could affect up to 3,000 homes, five schools and 600 businesses, with the potential to cause an estimated $1.1 billion worth of damage across the community. Recent flooding events across New Zealand have shown the need for investment in flood protection infrastructure, and the devastating consequences for communities flooded as a result of not doing so.

Urban growth and housing

Beyond flood protection and transport upgrades, one of the goals of the RiverLink project is to spur urban growth and encourage the construction of more central city homes in the form of apartments. Hutt City Council has unveiled a Central City Transformation Plan to enable this growth. A new riverbank promenade, and a pedestrian and cycling bridge crossing the river near the relocated Melling station, are key parts of RiverLink that will be delivered by Hutt City Council and transform Lower Hutt.

We will be holding a community planting day Mid September so look out for our Facebook event.

Ground investigations are underway to help us develop the design of the proposed Melling transport improvements and other RiverLink projects. You may notice this work going on back in July near the existing Melling Bridge and work will commence again on 4 November. This round of drilling will be for 1 to 2 weeks.

What is the purpose of the investigations?

The Transport Agency will use the information gathered from these investigations to help develop the preliminary design of the preferred interchange option – a diamond interchange connecting directly with Queens Drive. The preliminary design is being developed as a part of the Detailed Business Case (DBC) for the transport improvements.

The ground information helps us to understand what type of design is needed to construct a resilient bridge and interchange. It’s also important as it will help us ensure that any future transport improvements are designed to protect the Waiwhetu Aquifer – an important water supply for the whole region.

The DBC is an important phase of the project. The Transport Agency expects to complete and consider the DBC for the Melling transport improvements by early 2020.

Will I be affected by the ground investigation work?

There will be work taking place at six sites spread across both sides of the river, in areas around the Melling and Riverbank car parks. One of these sites will be a borehole which will take around four days to complete. The remaining five sites will be CPTs (Cone Penetrometer Tests) which use a cone-shaped instrument to determine how much load can be put on the ground – will take one day each.

All work will be done between 8am – 5pm, and work areas will be fenced off to keep people safe. Four parking spaces at Melling train station will be temporarily restricted during the borehole work. We do not expect this work to cause any other impact to people using the road or using Melling train station.

Further ground investigations

Investigations will then continue at various sites on both sides of the river, from upstream of Melling Bridge to the Ewen Bridge. 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. 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.

At some locations, there will be limited access to the river and traffic management in place at various times. The map below shows where the work will be done.

Follow the RiverLink Facebook page for regular updates on this work.

Next 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. This work will take place on both sides of the river from just upstream of Melling Bridge to the Ewen Bridge. The enclosed map 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.

Over the past few years you’ve told us how important flood protection is, how we can improve your ability to move around Lower Hutt and what kind of urban experience you’re seeking.

This map shows the positive changes RiverLink will deliver when fully implemented.

Designing the transport improvements

All RiverLink partners were involved in narrowing down the interchange options. Working closely together ensured that implications for the stopbanks and urban renewal were considered alongside the transport effects. We have considered 43 options for a new Melling interchange. The project team have narrowed the options down to three designs for a diamond interchange and a new bridge over the river connecting into Hutt City. For more information on how the options were selected, please take a look at the ‘Engagement Display Boards’.

The three options now being considered for a new Melling interchange have the following things in common:

• a grade separated diamond interchange
• a new river bridge
• reduces risk of flooding to the city centre
• reduces traffic congestion
• requires local road improvements
• safer than current intersection
• removes the at-grade traffic signals from SH2
• moves the railway station closer to the city centre and provides better park and ride
• Tirohanga Road connects to Harbour View
• pedestrians and cyclists are separated from traffic
• future proofed for a possible extension of the Melling railway line.

Tell us what you think

We welcome your comments on the options for the Melling Interchange and how a new bridge should connect into Hutt City. There are several ways to get involved:

Attend a public open day at the Dowse Art Museum on:

• Thursday 10 May, 4pm – 7pm
• Saturday 12 May, 10am – 4pm
• Wednesday 16 May, 4pm – 7pm

Come chat with the RiverLink project team in the container at the Riverbank markets on:

• Saturday 12 May, 8am – 2pm
• Saturday 19 May, 8am – 2pm
• Saturday 26 May, 8am – 2pm

Come chat with the RiverLink project team at Queensgate Mall on:

• Thursday 24 May, 10am – 1pm and 4pm – 7pm
• Friday 25 May, 10am – 1pm and 4pm – 7pm
• Saturday 26 May, 10am – 5pm
• Sunday 27 May, 10am – 5pm

Send our team an email at RiverLink@gw.govt.nz

Click to download our engagements boards

Click to download our engagement guide

We will use your feedback, alongside technical information, to select a preferred option.

You should know – that funding hasn’t been agreed and timing for this project is uncertain. The Transport Agency needs to make decisions on:

• the preferred option
• the timing of the project
• how the project could be funded.

Feedback is open until Sunday 10 June 2018.