Wellington's transport plans finally moving with contract for Golden Mile revamp to go to tender

Thursday, 15 August 2019

A mass public transport system is due to be constructed between Wellington Railway Station and the airport as part of the $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving programme.

The first project to get Wellington moving is taking its first tentative steps.

Tenders will go out next week for plans to revamp the city's Golden Mile, with private vehicles expected to give way to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

The contract for revamping Wellington's Golden Mile will go to tender next week. (File photo)

Although the project still needs to go through a business case, it is likely to result in the removal of private vehicles from much of the central city thoroughfare and reduced speed limits on surrounding streets.

The Golden Mile runs along Lambton Quay, Willis St, Manners St, and Courtenay Place, and has more than 80 car parks.

The central city thoroughfare will be redesigned to prioritise public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. (File photo)

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The Golden Mile includes Lambton Quay (pictured), a section of Willis St, Manners St, and Courtenay Place. (File photo)

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The revamp is part of the 20-year, $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving programme - a joint venture between the New Zealand Transport Agency, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council.

Programme director Andrew Body said the business case would focus on providing better public transport along the route, and making it a more attractive destination for pedestrians.

'The plan will be staged, with minor improvements and trials starting next year while the business case confirms short and long-term solutions for implementation.'

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester has promised to remove vehicles from most, if not all, of the Golden Mile by 2021.

Lambton Quay is currently four lanes, but will soon be for buses only, with more room for pedestrians. (File photo)

But Body said the final plans had yet to be decided.

'As part of the work, we'll be asking the community what improvements they'd like to see on the Golden Mile to improve bus reliability, and to make it a more attractive and safer place for people walking and on bikes.

'Feedback will help guide detailed options which we'll take to the community in mid-2020.'

The business case contract is expected to be awarded in October, Body said.

The contract for another of the programme's early projects - improving public transport, walking and cycling on Thorndon Quay and Hutt Rd - would also be awarded by the end of the year.

'We need to make a start now on moving more people with fewer vehicles.

'Getting detailed investigations such as the Golden Mile under way is the first step to help improve how people move into and around the city.'