Two new roundabouts on State Highway 58 are set to open in the coming weeks as work continues on the Wellington Road of Regional Significance project.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says the roundabout at Flightys and Murphys Roads is scheduled to open in mid-May, followed by the Moonshine Road roundabout in June.
“This SH58 Road of Regional Significance is a step closer to completion for the 20,000 vehicles that use it daily. It is already helping to deliver a safer, more efficient transport route for Wellington drivers,” Bishop says.
He says the Flightys roundabout will improve access to the highway and make it safer for drivers turning on and off SH58, while the Moonshine Road roundabout will further support traffic flow as the area grows.
“As the local area grows and develops, it is critical that traffic and the public have the best and safest access to the highway,” he says.
The project began in 2019 and has received more than $100 million in Crown funding, with additional investment from the National Land Transport Fund.
Bishop says construction has been carried out while keeping the highway open for drivers, residents and local businesses.
“I want to thank everyone for their understanding as work has progressed on SH58,” he says.
He says earlier safety improvements are already delivering results, with 71 central median barrier strikes recorded since October last year, preventing vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic.
Further work between the two roundabouts is planned as part of the final stage of the project, which is expected to continue into 2027.
The mid-May opening for the Flightys roundabout is weather dependent.
