Main works on Wellington’s Golden Mile upgrades are planned to start next year, RNZ can reveal.
The $116 million project would see cars banned from 7am to 7pm between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Pl, along with widened footpaths and a cycle lane.
Work is scheduled to start next month, with changes to Kent and Cambridge Terrace which is expected to take eight months to complete.
The council has not said when major works on Courtenay Pl, which was slated to begin once Kent/Cambridge work was done, would start due to ongoing talks with contractors.
Greater Wellington Regional Council documents released this week show that main construction works on the project along Courtenay Place are planned to start early next year.
A Wellington City Council spokesperson told RNZ enabling works, which could include establishing transport diversions and safety signage, could start late this year.
However, they said that was still subject to negotiations with contractors which were yet to be resolved.
What will change?
The project will remove cars from Courtenay Place during the day, widen foot paths, create a cycle lane down the road and improve lighting.
It will also see the street lined with new anti-slip pavement and new greenery, while also replacing any old water pipes that are sitting under the thoroughfare.
The design of Golden Mile upgrade has been created in partnership with mana whenua and features ngā ūranga – interactive sculptures where people can sit, share food or use as a performance area.
The Lambton Quay part of the project is not expected to start for at least three years, due to Courtenay Place being prioritised by councillors.
The history of the project
The Golden Mile upgrade was part of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving transport plan, a joint initiative which started in 2016 between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and NZTA Waka Kotahi.
On December 17, 2023, the government and the two councils agreed to disestablish the plan.
As part of this agreement, the central government would build and fund the Basin Reserve upgrade and second Mt Victoria tunnel while Wellington City Council brought the Golden Mile project in-house.
NZTA will still fund 51% of the Golden Mile.
The project had been controversial among some councillors, residents and some of the business community.
There was strong opposition to the project by some when the project was voted into the council’s latest long-term plan.
The Government had also been unhappy at times with the council’s handling of the project.
RNZ revealed in April last year that the then-Transport and Infrastructure Ministers wrote a ‘please explain’ letter to the council raising concern about a lack of consultation with local businesses.
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