The RiverLink program of works aims to improve connectivity, flood resileince and urban livability in Lower Hutt and Melling on the banks of the Hutt River near Wellington.
Melling Transport Improvements main works package includes:
- a new Melling interchange and overbridge connecting directly to Queens Drive
- the relocation of Melling Station, including a bus hub, cycle storage, and park and ride facilities
- a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the river, and
- improved walkways and cycle paths.
Additional packages in the RiverLink Program include:
- Flood Protection package, including heightening the stopbanks by one metre at the Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River, widening the river channel to 90 metres, and constructing a wetland in Belmont within the river corridor.
- Urban Revitalisation package, including a riverbank park, upgrades to traffic intersections near river, pedestrian pathways and outdoor dining areas, improved lighting, and street-based markets.
In June 2023, Mana Whenua gifted the name of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi – The Soothing Waters of Te Awa Kairangi to the Alliance that will deliver Riverlink. Elements of the RiverLink programme being delivered by the Alliance will be delivered under the new name.
Key Dates
| Dec 2015 | Project Announcement |
| Oct 2022 | RFP Open |
| May 2023 | Preferred Bidder Selection |
| Apr 2025 | Contract Award |
| 2025 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2032 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
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The RiverLink has approximately NZ$1.5 billion in funding which has been allocated from several sources, including NZ$1 billion of funding from NZTA to cover construction costs, property, consenting, design, investigations and demolition, NZ$295 million from the Greater Wellington Regional Council and NZ$180 million from the Hutt City Council. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | A partnership of Greater Wellington Regional council and Hutt City council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency |
| Successful Tenderer: | AECOM and Fletcher Alliance |
| Procurement note: | The Alliance contract involved two stages. The first stage – called the Interim Project Alliance Agreement phase – involved contractor input on the design of the project. The second stage involves the main works construction, and follows the approval of the final design, cost and construction approach from stage one. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Aug 2021 | Resource consents applications lodged. |
| Oct 2022 | RFP opens for Alliance contract to deliver the Melling transport improvements, as part of the RiverLink program. |
| Nov 2022 | The Environment Court of New Zealand granted the RiverLink project the final resource consents. |
| Mar 2023 | The preferred alliance was selected on 31 March 2023 ahead of formal announcement in April. |
| Apr 2023 | Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency announced an AECOM and Fletcher Construction Alliance as the preferred bidder for the design and construction of the whole RiverLink program. The interim phase is expected to last six months, with the contract expected to be signed upon the agreement of the final design, cost and construction approach. |
| May 2023 | Interim Project Alliance Agreement with AECOM-Fletcher signed. |
| Jun 2023 | Mana Whenua gifted the name of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi – The Soothing Waters of Te Awa Kairangi to the Alliance that will deliver the project referred to as RiverLink. Elements of the RiverLink programme being delivered by the Alliance will be delivered under the new name. |
| Mar 2024 | Greater Wellington Council confirms changes to the Interim Project Agreement with AECOM-Fletcher. The Council will now deliver the flood protection works while the transport works will be delivered by the Alliance. |
| Jun 2024 | NZ Transport Agency has released a revised design for Melling Interchange. |
| Mar 2025 | Official name change from 'RiverLink' to 'Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi'. |
| Apr 2025 | NZ Transport Agency announced that Fletcher and AECOM signed a Project Alliance Agreement, formally awarding the Alliance contract to deliver the Melling Transport Improvement Project, with main works construction expected to commence later in 2025. The NZTA confirmed the project's total estimated cost of NZ$743 million, with the broader RiverLink Program's cost increasing to NZ$1.5 billion. |
2022/10/13
2022/11/07
2023/04/17 - Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
23/06/19 Project Alliance name change
23/05/02 Interim Project Alliance Agreement with AECOM-Fletcher signed
Revised design for Melling Interchange announced
Melling transport improvements to start this year
