TRANSPORT

Wellington Transport Package (2nd Mt Victoria Tunnel)

Waka Kotahi / Wellington City Council / Greater Wellington RC · Wellington

After cancelling the ~$7.4B Let's Get Wellington Moving programme (disestablished March 2024), the Government is advancing a roading-focused replacement: a second Mt Victoria tunnel, Basin Reserve upgrade and Terrace tunnel duplication — a ~$3.8B package being fast-tracked, with enabling works from 2026 and tolling proposed. Mass transit was dropped.

56% · Uncertain

Completion Probability — likelihood this proceeds on roughly its stated timeline.

Breakdown▾

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Key facts

Region: Wellington
Sector: Transport
Status: Planning
Estimated value: $3.8b
Indicative completion: 2033
Funding status: Part Funded
Lead organisation: Waka Kotahi / Wellington City Council / Greater Wellington RC
Election risk: High

Election risk assessment

LGWM was disestablished in 2024; the roading-focused replacement (2nd Mt Victoria tunnel etc.) is government-fast-tracked but long-dated, and Wellington transport remains deeply contested.

Government priority alignment

MEDIUM — The PT-heavy LGWM was cancelled; the roads-focused replacement aligns better with GPS, though scope is contested.

Chronology

2018Let's Get Wellington Moving programme launched
2024LGWM disestablished (March); mass-transit and mega-tunnel scrapped
2025~$3.8B roading replacement announced — 2nd Mt Victoria tunnel, Basin Reserve, Terrace tunnel
2026NZTA progresses fast-track approvals; enabling works considered

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