News & Media Releases

Abel Smith Street - permanent intersection closure

5 December 2006

Transit New Zealand today advised that there will be no vehicle access into Abel Smith Street from Willis Street effective from 10am Monday 11 December 2006.

This section of Abel Smith Street, between Willis and Victoria Streets is being permanently closed at the Willis Street end in preparation for the opening of the new northbound route of the Inner City Bypass later this month.

“Works to convert Abel Smith Street into the planned cul-de-sac, with access from Victoria Street, as part of the Bypass works, will commence on Monday morning,” said Transit NZ Project Manager Jonnette Adams.

“This section of Abel Smith Street will be open to pedestrians and cyclists, however, vehicles will need to use Ghuznee Street to get to Victoria Street and beyond,” she said.  “This is a short term inconvenience for motorists between Monday and the end of January, when we will be able to permanently reverse the direction of Vivian Street between Willis and Victoria Streets.”

Abel Smith Street is being closed at Willis Street to reduce the number of streets intersecting at this point on Willis Street.  The closure will assist in traffic flows along both Willis Street and the new Bypass.

Works on Abel Smith Street include a pocket park, incorporating a raised brick-paved area with bench seats, lights and plant boxes including the planting of four mature Kunnzea ericodes (Kanuka) trees and nearly 100 Muehlenbeckia axilaris (maidenhair vine) as ground cover.

For more information contact:

Jonnette Adams
Project Manager
Transit New Zealand
DDI: 04 496 6598
Email: jonnette.adams@transit.govt.nz

Anthony Frith
Communications Adviser
Transit New Zealand
04 499 6600

www.wicb.co.nz

About the Wellington Inner City Bypass

  • The Wellington Inner City Bypass will provide a safer, more efficient route between the southern and eastern suburbs and the northern gateway to Wellington. It will re-route cross-city traffic away from Ghuznee Street and the heart of the inner city and Cuba Street area.
  • It is a one-way, two-lane road at ground level, with dedicated turning lanes and a 50km/h speed limit (until just past the Willis Street intersection, heading north, where the speed limit will increase to 80km/h and the road will be gradually lowered beneath Vivian Street).  Existing roads will be altered and redefined, and 700 metres of new road will be constructed along with 1080 metres of new footpath and cycleway.
  • A total of 23 heritage buildings are to be preserved as part of the project at an estimated cost of $3.5 million. Of these, five will remain in place and 18 relocated and restored, with one taken down and reconstructed using materials still in good condition.
  • Buildings of similar age and style will be kept together, preserved and restored with their original orientation and access maintained wherever possible. A historic precinct will be created adjoining Footscray Avenue for those we have to move.
  • Transit will install three new sets of traffic signals, build a new motorway on-ramp at Willis/Abel Smith Streets and move the current motorway off-ramp from Ghuznee Street to Vivian Street. A new link between Cuba Street and Willis Street will also be created.
  • Wellington City Council’s Te Aro Stormwater main will start at the Taranaki St end of Arthur St, progress along the northern side of Arthur St, across Cuba St and along the route of the bypass until Willis Street, where the main has been laid up Palmer Street to Te Aro Park.
  • Construction of the bypass is expected to be completed mid 2007.

 

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