Metlink is preparing to change some services ahead of Lower Hutt's RiverLink. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Wellington's public transport operator Metlink expects congestion during big roadworks in Lower Hutt will push more motorists to catch the bus or train.
The RiverLink project is scheduled to start in September, with the interchange on State Highway 2 connecting to a new bridge over the Hutt River not ready till 2031 at the earliest.
A Hutt Valley "disruption stakeholder group" has been set up to manage impacts on transport, that includes the regional council, Hutt City Council and New Zealand Transport Association Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The overall cost is at least $1.5 billion; four years ago it was put at $456m and at that time the interchange was forecast to be finished in 2026.
The regional council transport committee chair Thomas Nash said during the build, more road-users would "choose public transport over the congestion expected on State Highway 2".
"To minimise congestion and maximise regional productivity, we'll work with KiwiRail and other partners to find ways to make the Hutt Valley Line a more reliable option for commuters," he said in a statement.
Melling Station would close temporarily. The rail line it is on would instead terminate at Western Hutt station, while undergoing "significant rail network works" such as changing rail signalling systems, stop blocks and termination of the overhead lines, which NZTA would pay for.
About 400 people a day catch the train from Melling.
Melling Station will close temporarily as part of the works. Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell
Bus routes 145 and 149 that serve the western hills would be used to connect passengers with the Hutt Valley Line at Waterloo Station, where fares to Wellington were the same as from Melling, the council said.
Metlink would look to better link the 150 bus from Kelson to the trains.
Park and Ride services at Petone Station would be expanded. Bikes racks might be put in at Western Hutt - though only 1 percent of commuters used a bike to get to the station.
RiverLink includes the SH2 interchange and bridge, flood protection, and a new pedestrian bridge over the river that connects to the relocated Melling station, and is partly aimed at "urban revitalisation" of the Lower Hutt city centre.
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