Let construction commence. Next stage of the State Highway 58 Road of Regional Significance about to get underway

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work will soon begin on the next stage of the State Highway 58 Safety Improvements Project between Moonshine and Murphys/Flightys Roads.

Next week, NZTA/Waka Kotahi and Downer will start project enabling works –  ahead of constructing two roundabouts at Moonshine Road and Murphys/Flightys Roads, widening the road, and installing side barriers and median wire rope barriers. 

Other improvements will include construction of shared paths, bus stops and drop off areas at each of the roundabouts, and new culverts to manage water flows across the project. 

Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery says the next stage of the project is crucial as it rounds out important work already completed on this part of the state highway. 

“It ensures safety measures are in place along the full route between Pāuatahanui and the Hutt Valley.” 

“Safe roads bring huge benefits for the community by reducing crash rates. The costs of deaths and serious injuries bring significant social costs, but also immense pain and anguish for victims, their families, and their friends,” Mr Bhula says. 

He says the project’s gains far outweigh its construction pains. 

“The upcoming work will ensure this important east-west highway is a much safer, more reliable, and easier-to-use connection for the more than 19,000 motorists who use it every day.”  

Previous improvements between State Highway 2 and east of Moonshine Road started in 2019 and were completed in December last year. 

Mr Bhula says they have already proved their worth. 

“Locals will be aware of the road’s high crash rate – which includes 13 serious crashes on SH58, between Transmission Gully and SH2, from 2015 to 2025.  

“Since December, we have had twenty-three barrier strikes recorded on the completed section of road. This goes to show how the improvements have been critical in reducing the severity of crashes.” 

Mr Bhula acknowledges the patience of the local community given how long the project has been running. 

“It has created travel delays. However, SH58 is a heavily used road that connects to numerous residents and businesses. We have had to balance the need to maintain network access for traffic and residents against completing the works as quickly as we can.” 

He says every effort will be made to reduce the impact of the remaining works on the public. 

“As much construction work as possible will happen off the current highway alignment, reducing impacts and delays for road users. However, some disruption is unavoidable with other parts of the project – such as when each leg into the roundabout is realigned and connected, and barriers are installed.” 

“Work is expected to take around 20 months to complete, finishing in 2027. Please expect traffic management and temporary speed limits to be in place during this time,” Mr Bhula says

Planning for work between Flightys/Murphys Roads and Transmission Gully is underway and specific details for this area will be confirmed at a later date.”

More information:

• State Highway 58 runs between State Highway 2 in the Hutt Valley and the Transmission Gully Interchange in Pāuatahanui.
• This Crown-funded project is a Road of Regional Significance and aims to improve safety and reliability of the route. 

• State Highway 58 is a regional route providing critical east-west access from State Highway 2 to State Highway 1 and is key to the region’s state highway network. Over 19,000 vehicles travel this highway daily. It is narrow and windy with many unprotected roadside hazards. 

• A safer speed limit of 80 km/h was put in place in 2018 following public consultation, and construction of physical safety improvements has been progressing in stages, from east to west. 

• More information about the project can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:

View larger construction milestones map [PNG, 267 KB]

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