Central Wellington
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PHOTO: Wellington, New Zealand. FILE

The government has tasked Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) with exploring the potential of a Long Tunnel solution for Stage Highway 1 in Wellington. This proposal involves constructing twin two-lane tunnels spanning 4km, starting from north of the Terrace and ending near Wellington Road close to Kilbirnie.

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Transport Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this tunnel option strongly aligns with the government’s priorities outlined in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Brown states that the transport agency has presented a compelling argument for reintroducing this option for consideration.

According to Brown, the Long Tunnel proposal could yield significant time savings of up to 15 minutes for travel between the region and Wellington airport, compared to the 2-3 minutes offered by current parallel or diagonal tunnel proposals at Mt Victoria and the Basin.

Explaining the concept further, Brown envisions two two-lane tunnels running beneath Wellington, passing under Mt Victoria tunnel, and emerging near the airport at Wellington Road. The potential for an intermediate exit, possibly around the Basin, is also under consideration.

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In addition to time savings, Brown highlights other potential benefits such as enhanced urban amenity through reallocating surface-level road space for active modes and public transport in the CBD, as well as opportunities for housing intensification. Improved regional connectivity to the airport and hospital, along with reduced congestion on city and state highways, are also anticipated.

Furthermore, Brown mentions that the Long Tunnel option could minimize construction disruptions for local traffic, as its implementation could entail less disturbance to the city center and fewer impacts on public and private properties compared to alternative proposals.

Waka Kotahi has been tasked with evaluating the technical feasibility, cost, and funding options for the Long Tunnel proposal. The investigation is scheduled for completion by mid-year, after which the government will make decisions accordingly. Brown reassures that planning for the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project will continue alongside this investigation.