Water Restriction Level 2
Akatea Rd in Korokoro has sections of narrow bends and poor or non-existent footpaths, kerbing and drainage channels. To make it safer for all road users and pedestrians, work will begin on Tuesday 7 May 2024 (originally 6 May) to make a number of improvements requested through consultation with residents. Work is expected to be complete by the end of July, weather permitting.
Hutt City Council and Waka Kotahi are sharing the cost to:
- Build a section of retaining wall to widen a narrow bend and install a footpath (44-48 Akatea Rd)
- Realign and improve bus stops
- Install or repair footpaths
- Add kerbing and drainage channels
- Upgrade stormwater drainage
- Make crossing improvements at the top of Maungaraki Rd
- Install safety fencing on the outer side of footpaths
- Install a pedestrian refuge island at the top of London Rd
While we have traffic management in place, we'll also repair a slip on London Rd.
Wellington Electricity will also replace several power poles on London Rd on 8 May. They’ve posted information about that here, which will have any updates about changes to the work.
For the safety of contractors, road users and pedestrians, traffic management will be in place through the wider area.
Road management
- From 7 May, Akatea Rd will be one-way uphill, from 32 London Rd to the intersection with Maungaraki Rd. For safety reasons, this will be in place 24/7 until the project is completed. Vehicles travelling downhill will need to go via Maungaraki, Singers and Korokoro Rds. Due to weight restrictions on the lower part of Korokoro Rd, vehicles heavier than two tonnes per axle will need to exit via Dowse Dr.
- For one day, on 8 May, the one-way traffic management will extend to begin just north of 12 London Rd for power pole works.
- From 27 May, the one-way section will be extended to the bottom of London Rd to enable slip repairs on London Rd.
Bus changes
- The one-way traffic management and Korokoro Rd vehicle weight limits will affect bus services on Route 154, School services 854 and 855 and 154 morning school extension service.
- Metlink is confirming details on an alternative shuttle bus service that will run while the traffic management is in place. We’ll have updates here as soon as we receive them.
- Where possible, we encourage walking or carpooling to the station to connect to the above bus services.
- Signage will be put up around the area closer to the time, with information about changes to the bus services.
We'll have updates here throughout the project. If you'd like to receive periodic emails about this work, please email transportprojectdeliveryteam@huttcity.govt.nz and ask to be included in the Korokoro emailing list. You can also get in touch on this address if you have any questions that aren't covered here.
Wellington Electricity pole replacement on London Rd, scheduled for 8 May 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
We considered all the options, but as the works area is long, winding and narrow, with many driveways and side streets, stop/go traffic management would not be safe or practical.
It’s mainly a safety issue for workers and the public– switching between a one-way and two-way system creates too much risk of an accident. Not having to establish and remove the traffic management each day also means the job will be finished sooner.
Hours will be 7am - 6pm weekdays, with no machinery operating before 7.30am. Some work may take place 9am-4pm on Saturdays if needed, and no evening work is planned. Traffic management (including one-way system) will be in place 24/7.
Put your rubbish and recycling out as usual. Contractors will move your bins to the opposite side of the road for collection and return them afterwards where necessary.
Emergency services have been notified of the changes and there is a plan in place to ensure that safety won't be compromised.
Contact us at transportprojectdeliveryteam@huttcity.govt.nz or if you have an urgent safety concern or question, contact Sierra Delta Civil Ltd site manager Sam Dews on 027 592 2290.
Our contractors will escort pedestrians and dismounted cyclists safely through the works areas. Cyclists may travel in both directions through the one-way traffic section, but must be on foot for their safety. Outside work hours, there will be areas marked for the use of pedestrians and dismounted cyclists.
Yes, the contractors will ensure access at all times.
Heavy vehicles can drive through the one-way areas, however to get back downhill, the lower part of Korokoro Rd is still restricted to vehicles of less than two tonnes per axle. Heavier vehicles will need to exit via upper Maungaraki Rd and down Dowse Dr.
This section of road and retaining wall will be improved in the future. As much as we would have liked to include it in this work, the cost and funding deadline meant it wasn't possible to do it at this time.
The fencing is for the safety of pedestrians so people can’t fall down the bank(it’s not a crash barrier). It will have a wooden rail and wire mesh.
Several residents first raised concerns with Council about long-standing safety issues on Akatea Rd and were invaluable in helping collect feedback from the community. In November 2023, residents were invited to a meeting at Korokoro Playcentre to give feedback on concept designs for the improvements, which we’re now rolling out.