50 Victoria Street
Private Bag 6995
Wel ington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
12 February 2021
Carl McCormack
[FYI request #14404 email]
REF: OIA-7541
Dear Carl
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email of 6 January 2021 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Are there any future plans to upgrade Hutt Road, Western Hutt Road and River Road or the
Ngauranga Gorge to Motorway/Expressway status in the near future and what work would need
to be undertaken to do such.
River Road, Western Hutt Road and Hutt Road are all currently part of the Hutt Expressway which runs
from the Ngauranga Interchange to Maoribank.
In an effort to increase safety in this area, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has recently carried out a
technical assessment of the speed limits between Ngauranga and Maoribank. Engagement with
stakeholders and the community is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021. Feedback received
during the engagement phase will be used to support road safety by helping to determine a safe and
appropriate speed for this section of SH2.
In addition to reviewing speed limits, Waka Kotahi is in the process of considering what infrastructure
improvements should be implemented along this corridor to address the crash risk. There are also
several items in the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) that will improve safety projects on the SH2
corridor, which are all subject to approval and funding.
Waka Kotahi is also working on a package of improvements from Melling to Maoribank which will focus
on intersection safety, as well as a possible median barrier at the northern end of the corridor between
Whakatiki Street and Totara Park Road. While designs have not been completed, it is expected that the
improvements will include localised speed reductions at each intersection.
If you would like to discuss this matter further with Waka Kotahi, you are welcome to contact the Safer
Network Programme team by email at [email address].
Yours sincerely
Rod James
Acting Senior Manger Project Delivery