Wellington Regional Office
Media information for immediate use
25 August 2004

Tenders received for Wellington Inner City Bypass

Transit has now received tenders for Wellington’s Inner City Bypass (ICB) project.

“Tenders for the project closed late yesterday and we are very pleased with the level of interest shown by the road construction industry during such a busy time,” said Catherine Worsley Transit Wellington’s acting regional manager.

“The next task is to evaluate the tenders over the next six weeks. When we have identified the preferred tenderer we will begin negotiations with them and expect to have the contract finalised by early October,” said Ms Worsley.

Ms Worsley said the project is moving ahead as scheduled and construction on the one-way two-lane road is expected to begin before Christmas.

“The next task will be to start archaeological recording of the heritage sites and then when summer comes to start construction work at the Terrace Tunnel end of the bypass.”

Tenants in Transit owned properties needed for the bypass would be given at least the statutory period of notice to vacate the properties; many have already received notice.

Detailed design of the bypass, including landscaping plans and intersection layouts, has been completed and all other consents and permissions required for the project approved.

ENDS

About the Wellington Inner City Bypass

- The Wellington Inner City Bypass will provide a safer and more efficient route between the southern and eastern suburbs and the northern gateway to Wellington, re-routing cross-city traffic away from Ghuznee Street and the heart of the inner city and Cuba Street area.

- It is a one-way, two-lane road at ground level, with dedicated turning lanes and a 50km/h speed limit (until just past the Willis Street intersection, heading north, where the speed limit will increase to 70km/h and the road will be gradually lowered beneath Vivian Street). Existing roads will be altered and redefined, and 700 metres of new road be constructed along with 1080 metres of new footpath and cycleway.

- A total of 22 heritage buildings are to be preserved as part of the project at an estimated cost of $3m. Of these five will remain in place, 16 relocated and restored, with one taken down and reconstructed using materials still in good condition. Only one building, the former Boys’ Institute in Arthur Street, will be pulled down as it cannot feasibly be relocated.

- Buildings of similar age and style will be kept together, preserved and restored with their original orientation and access maintained wherever possible and a historic precinct created adjoining Footscray Avenue for those we have to move.

- Transit will install three new sets of traffic signals and build a new motorway on-ramp at Willis/Abel Smith Streets and move the current motorway off-ramp from Ghuznee Street to Vivian Street. A new link between Cuba Street and Willis Street will also be created.

ENDS

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