Ngauranga Interchange
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
junction
SH 1 (Centennial Highway) SH 1 (Wellington Urban Motorway)
SH 2 (Hutt Road)
| Ngauranga Interchange | |
|---|---|
 Looking north at the junction of the motorway and SH2 (Hutt Road). Northbound overbridge at left, southbound overbridge at right. | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Ngauranga, Wellington, New Zealand | |
| Coordinates | 41°14′49″S 174°48′52″E / 41.247063°S 174.814517°E |
| Roads at junction | SH 1 (Centennial Highway)
|
| Construction | |
| Type | Modified semi-directional T interchange |
| Constructed | 1969, 1984 |
| Opened | 1984 |
| Maintained by | New Zealand Transport Agency |
The Ngauranga Interchange at the foot of the Ngauranga Gorge is a major interchange in the suburb of Ngauranga, in Wellington, New Zealand. The Ngauranga Interchange connects State Highways 1 and 2 with each other and also to Hutt Road for access to the interisland ferry terminals and alternative access to central Wellington. The incremental launching method used for constructing the interchange was the first time this technique had been used in New Zealand.
The majority of traffic in and out of Wellington uses this interchange. It is the southern terminus of State Highway 2.
Before the construction of the Wellington Urban Motorway, the interchange comprised a single set of traffic lights between Hutt Road (SH2) and Centennial Drive (SH1).
On opening of the Wellington Urban Motorway in 1969, the interchange was modified to a fork. Traffic from SH2 could exit for Hutt Road and SH1, or could proceed straight for the motorway. At the traffic lights, vehicles from SH1 could turn right for Hutt Road and Wellington, or turn left for the SH2 towards the Hutt Valley. SH1 traffic could not access the new motorway.
The plan for the Wellington Urban Motorway intended that there would be a direct link between the motorway and SH1 in Ngauranga Gorge, but construction of the interchange was postponed until after the Terrace Tunnel was operational so that off-ramps at Aotea Quay and Hawkestone Street would not be overloaded. The Terrace Tunnel opened in May 1978, and the National Roads Board approved financing to build the interchange in December 1979.[1]
Fletcher Development and Construction was awarded the contract to build foundations which included a temporary diversion road. Some existing services including water mains and telephone cables had to be relocated.[1]
In November 1981 Mainzeal Construction was awarded the contract to build both the north and southbound lanes.
