Wellington will get a second Mt Victoria tunnel that will run parallel to the existing tunnel as part of State Highway 1 improvements under the Government’s Road of National Significance (RoNS) programme.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown confirmed the option as endorsed by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) board. It was chosen over a proposed 4km underground “mega-tunnel” option.
The selected option, a duplicate Terrace Tunnel, as well as upgrades to the Basin Reserve, aims to tackle congestion in the city.
SH1 through Wellington is heavily congested at peak times, with forecast population growth across the region expected to increase travel demand across the network.
NZTA projected that without improvements to the critical route, within ten years the region could be looking at travel time increases of up to 50% into and around the city.
“These improvements will result in significant travel time savings during peak times, reducing travel times from the northern suburbs to the CBD, hospital, and airport by approximately 10 minutes,” Brown says.
“Commuters in the capital will see a significant benefit in time savings from these upgrades. Those travelling on the number one bus between Island Bay and the Railway Station are forecast to save nine minutes during morning peak times, while those on the number two bus between Miramar and the CBD will notice a saving of 11 minutes on their journeys,” he says.
The project will be consented as a single corridor, with the project delivered in stages.
The SH1 Wellington Improvements RoNS will move through an investment case which will be completed to be brought back to the NZTA board in mid-2025.
‘No guarantees’, says opposition
Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere says National look set to break an election promise by not beginning construction on the second Mt Victoria tunnel this term.
“National promised during the campaign that it would have shovels in the ground on a second tunnel this term.
“But with nothing more than an investment case announced and a $6 billion hole in its transport budget, I don’t know how Simeon Brown will pull it off.
“Wellington needs better transport links, including better roading infrastructure. What’s missing from this plan is better public transport and options like mass rapid transport.
“National also hasn’t been clear how it will pay for these new tunnels. We already know Simeon Brown has blown his transport budget, and with no commitment on timeframe or funding, there is no guarantees they will be built.
“The Government needs to come clean with New Zealanders about how it plans to fill the $6 billion hole in its transport plan. If that is through toll roads or congestion charging, then it should be upfront about that.
“What’s not right is slapping tolls on near completed projects, that were funded by the previous Government in a scramble to find money,” Utikere says.
