Welcome to this update about our construction in Thorndon Quay.
We've sent you this because you've expressed an interest in the past.
About the build
The Thorndon Quay upgrade stretches from the Bunny St intersection to 87 Hutt Road (near Gun City). We’re working in sections so it will be less disruptive for businesses and traffic. We will finish in June 2025. This map shows how we have divided the route into 13 areas. We'll usually be working in two areas at a time during the day and in other areas at night. There will be signalised pedestrian crossings in areas 4, 6, 8, 9 and 13. These need cabling and power to operate the signals and integrate them into the city-wide traffic monitoring system, so there'll be more work here than in other areas.
In area 11 (at the intersection of Tinakori Road and Thorndon Quay) there will be all-new traffic signals, and in area 2 at the Mulgrave Street intersection we will upgrade the existing signals and crossings.
There will be some temporary bus stops during construction, but services won't be affected.
Works are already underway in areas 4 (close to Capital Gateway Retail Centre), and 9 (close to Hirepool). Once these areas are finished, we will focus on area 8 (close to Bordeaux Bakery) and area 13 (close to The Joinery King).
The more complex areas will take around 16 to 24 weeks to complete both sides of the road. Other areas may take four weeks or less.
Support for businesses
We know construction can be difficult for businesses and we’re doing everything we can to make things easier. If you run a business on Thorndon Quay, you can expect to hear from us around six weeks before we start daytime construction near you. We will offer to meet with you to show you the designs and how the traffic will be managed during the construction. We’ll try to allow for your delivery needs and create branded signage for you so customers can find you easily. We’ll discuss fencing options and reduce noise and dust as much as we can. We can connect you with WellingtonNZ who may be able to help with business support. If you have concerns during the build, we’ll listen and try to help.
Cyclists and bus users
Cyclists will enjoy the new cycle way we’re building on the seaward side of Thorndon Quay, which connects to the existing cycleway on Hutt Road. There are no adjoining side roads on the seaward side, which is much safer, and you'll use it to go both north and south. You’ll need to keep a good lookout and be courteous to pedestrians as they cross the cycleway from cars into businesses.
A priority bus lane will operate in peak weekday commuting times – from 6.30 to 9.30am heading into the city. A bus lane outbound is planned to start operating about two years later. This would likely be from 4.00 to 6:30pm, but we will assess this closer to the time.
New pavement designs at Pipitea Marae
In pre-European times, there were six awa (streams) flowing into the harbour along Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road. These awa are still there but are mostly hidden in culverts and pipes now. We will be marking their locations with beautiful designs created by Taranaki Whānui's cultural expression artist Len Hetet’s design studio Baked Design.
The new designs outside Pipitea Marae & Function Centre include three elements – the two crossed Hono/Hiki at the entrance to the marae signify a central bind, connecting people to the space and place. The layered triangular shapes in this area reference the kāinga, whare and whānau of Pipitea Pā.
The arrow shapes pointing to the marae entrance from either side signify kōkiri or movement forward. They build intensity to the central designs outside the marae entrance.
The designs are etched using a vapour blaster that takes off the top layer of concrete, leaving a darker pattern in relief. They are then sealed for longevity. They will stand out the most just after it has rained.
Lost and found
As we are building, we are finding parts of our more recent history buried beneath the road. We have found buried tracks near Gun City, at the intersection of Tinakori Road and Thorndon Quay and in front of Pipitea Marae.
Electric trams ran along Thorndon Quay from 1904 to 1964 when they were replaced by buses.
The area around Thorndon Quay, in particular around Pipitea Marae has been long occupied - as an important site for Māori and later used as wharves and jetties by European settlers. We might find more than tracks and have clear processes to protect any finds.
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