Government commits to reducing Wellington's gridlock.
Wellington residents are set to benefit from improved travel times and reduced congestion on SH1 following confirmation by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board of the preferred option for the second Mt Victoria Tunnel and SH1 upgrades.
According to Transport Minister Simeon Brown, the project aims to reduce Wellington's gridlock and support economic growth. The upgraded package includes a duplicate Terrace Tunnel and improvements to the Basin Reserve, expected to save commuters up to 10 minutes during peak times.
The $1 billion project is scheduled for delivery in stages, with an investment case set to be completed by mid-2025. Once approved, construction on the second Mt Victoria Tunnel will begin, providing a parallel route to the existing tunnel and reducing travel times between Ngauranga and the Airport.