Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project

This project will reduce delays and improve safety along SH2 through the lower Hutt Valley.

The section of SH2 from Dowse Drive to the Petone overbridges and local roads.

A grade-separated interchange with raised roundabout over SH2 at Dowse Drive with a connection to Hutt Road and Dowse Drive; an overbridge to replace the traffic lights at Korokoro connecting Petone and Korokoro; upgrading the section of SH2 between Korokoro and the Petone overbridges in the short term by providing a raised central curbed median to separate north and southbound lanes.

Works would also include the re-arrangement of the Petone Railway Station's existing Park and Ride carpark and the provision of an access bridge over SH2 and service road through to Cornish Street that will provide access to the industrial area and Korokoro; no access to private properties from SH2 between Korokoro and Petone; the long term upgrade for SH2 between Korokoro and Petone overbridges includes the construction of a median barrier on SH2, the closure of Cornish Street to SH2 and the upgrade of the Petone Overbridge.

The Dowse Drive to Petone section of SH2 is bounded by severe physical and operational constraints.

Along its western edge, the route is located at the foot of the scarp of the Wellington Fault (also referred to as the "western escarpment"). To the east, the Wairarapa and Melling Branch railway lines run the full length of this section of the highway.

The section of SH2 between the Korokoro intersection and the Petone overbridges runs through an industrial area and is referred to in this project as the Korokoro Industrial Area.