The Cross Valley Connections Programme is a long-term transport programme to improve east-west connections across southern Lower Hutt. It aims to create a more reliable, resilient and better-connected transport network that supports people travelling by car, bus, bike and on foot.
About the programme
Hutt City Council has been investigating options to improve east-west connectivity across southern Lower Hutt for many years. The existing route along The Esplanade is at capacity and is expected to become increasingly congested as the city continues to grow.
In August 2021, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Board approved the Cross Valley Connections Programme Business Case, which identified the Cross Valley Link as Stage 3 of the programme.
In May 2026, Hutt City Council approved the Cross Valley Link Investment Case, including progressing the project to route protection. More recently, NZTA identified the Cross Valley Link as a Council-led project in the Government's Major Transport Projects Pipeline.
The preferred route includes a new bridge across the Hutt River connecting Wakefield Street and Whites Line West, together with upgrades to Wakefield Street and Randwick Road between the bridge and the Waione Street roundabout.
Council continues work on Stages 1 and 2 of the programme.
Cross Valley Link: What’s happening now?
Cross Valley Link is currently in the route protection phase following Council's approval of the Investment Case in May 2026.
Our current focus is on preparing concept designs and undertaking environmental and technical investigations to support the route protection programme.
Route protection enables Council to identify and protect the future transport corridor in the District Plan. This helps ensure that future development does not compromise the ability to deliver the Cross Valley Link if construction funding is approved.
There is currently no confirmed construction date for the Cross Valley Link.
We'll continue to update this webpage as the Cross Valley Link progresses and more information becomes available.
Cross Valley Connections Programme: What’s happening now?
Council will continue to investigate the remaining stages of the Cross Valley Connections Programme. The timing of future stages will depend on:
- Future funding decisions
- Hutt City Council's Long Term Plan
- Greater Wellington Regional Council's Regional Land Transport Plan
- NZTA's National Land Transport Programme
Why was a Cross Valley Connections Programme Business Case needed?
The Programme Business Case was developed to identify the best long-term transport solutions for improving east-west connectivity across southern Lower Hutt.
Pursuing the programme is intended to:
- improve travel time reliability for buses, freight and general traffic
- provide a more resilient transport network during emergencies, major weather events, crashes and planned construction
- improve access between State Highway 2, Seaview, Gracefield, Petone, Wainuiomata and the Eastern Bays
- improve walking, cycling and micromobility connections, including better access to Petone, Ava and Woburn railway stations, Ewen Bridge, the Hutt River Trail, Te Ara Tupua and Tupua Horo Nuku
- support greater use of public transport by improving access and reducing barriers to travel
- enable economic growth and housing development consistent with the Rautaki Whakatipu – Sustainab
le Growth Strategy 2025–2055
Key documents and more information
- Programme Business Case (PDF 6.4MB)
- Cross Valley Link Investment Case (PDF 6.95MB)
- Appendix A - Strategic Alignment (PDF 603KB)
- Appendix B - Evidence Based Report (PDF 2.47MB)
- Appendix C - Project History (PDF 4.12MB)
- Appendix D - Long List to Short List Report (PDF 3.01MB)
- Appendix E - Short to Emerging Preferred Report (PDF 1.18MB)
- Appendix F - Design Report without Appendices (PDF 9.88MB)
- Appendix Fb - Project Scope & Outcome Philosophy Statement (PDF 913KB)
- Appendix Fc - Seismic Resilience Philosophy (PDF 2.46MB)
- Appendix Fd - Rationale behind Seismic Philosophy Memo (PDF 1.43MB)
- Appendix G - Economic Assessment (PDF 689KB)
- Appendix Ga - Traffic Modelling (PDF 724KB)
- Appendix J - Statutory Approval Assessment (PDF 2.78MB)
- Appendix K - NZTA CVL Feasibility Risk Register (PDF 1.89MB)
- Appendix L - HCC Updated CVL Risk Register Addendum (PDF 375KB)
- NZTA Petone to Grenada (project webpage)
Contact us
You can get in contact with us at 04 570 6666 or send us a message.