New maps released by the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) detail the proposed route for the 5.5km Petone to Grenada (P2G) four-lane highway, revealing potential impacts to approximately 200 properties and two local reserves in Wellington and Lower Hutt.
Route Details and Property Impacts
The latest details, released ahead of four public engagement sessions, show the highway would connect to State Highway 2 in Lower Hutt with two ramps, a link road to Hutt Rd, and an intersection near Hector St. The existing Petone interchange would remain unchanged. The route also runs through industrial areas between SH2 and Korokoro.
According to NZTA, about 200 properties “may be directly affected” by the project, with the agency already owning 21 of those. Specific property acquisition decisions will not be finalized until later this year, after more detailed design work is completed.
Impact on Reserves and Green Spaces
The proposed route cuts through sections of the Gilberd Bush Reserve and Seton Nossiter Park, including Lawson’s Track. Plans also show a proposed intersection with Horokiwi Rd and impacts to Horokiwi Quarry.
Wellington’s deputy mayor, Ben McNulty, expressed concerns about potential compulsory property acquisitions and the loss of green spaces, particularly regarding the planned Woodridge tunnel. He stated the proposed cuts are “hard news to stomach” for homeowners.
Route Selection and Environmental Considerations
NZTA chose the current route variation over three alternatives that would have impacted the Lincolnshire Farms development. Officials selected this design because it is less steep, could reduce travel time between Lower Hutt and Porirua by 15 to 20 minutes, has the least impact on housing growth areas, and offers the best value for money, despite requiring tunnels.
However, the chosen route is expected to have the “greatest ecological impacts on indigenous vegetation” and a “moderate direct impact” on the Belmont Stream. The investment case estimates the route will affect about 85 houses, with around 40 located above the tunnels. This is fewer than a 2015 design but more than the two alternatives spanning Lincolnshire Farms.
The project is still in an early design phase and is subject to ongoing changes.
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