Gearing up for summer roadworks

Our crews are gearing up to make the most of the summer months, when we’ll be rolling out an extensive works programme including road repairs and resurfacing, footpath and kerb maintenance, retaining wall construction, and the installation of signs and road markings. 

A lot of the work happens between November and March as the warmer air and road surface helps the new seal better stick to the road.  

Wet weather and other factors can delay roadworks, with work rescheduled to the next dry work day. 

“We have to make the most of the warmer months,” says Brad Singh, Wellington City Council Transport and Infrastructure Manager. 

“It doesn’t always help that Wellington doesn’t have a lot of warmer months.” 

Major works this summer include: resurfacing Aotea Quay, including the InterIslander ferry terminal access roundabout, Upland Road in Kelburn, Newlands Road and Tawa Main Road.  There are also roadworks on Cable Street and Wakefield Street as part of the new Wellington Convention Centre.  

The full list of upcoming roadworks can be found here. 

On average, we resurface about 68km of road every year – about 10 percent of the city’s 700km of roads. This costs about $10 million a year, with the NZ Transport Agency paying about half and the remainder funded through rates. 

The Council works closely with our contractors to make sure there is as little disruption as possible, says Brad. 

“We realise that life can’t just stop. People still need to be able to catch their bus, they still need to be able to do the school run, they still need to be able to get to work.  

“So we put a lot of planning into making sure life can continue for Wellingtonians.” 

Inevitably, there will be delays, especially where stop/go traffic systems need to be in place. 

“We really appreciate everyone’s patience. This is crucial work and will really benefit our communities. 

“And please go easy on the crews. We’re trying our best, and we’re committed to the city and our residents.” 
Residents and businesses will be kept informed of work via letters from contractors and on-site signage. 

The Council uses chipseal – the stony surfacing – a lot because it is the most effective way to keep water out of the underlying structure, while providing a highly skid-resistant surface.  

Smooth black surfacing (usually asphaltic concrete) is used in other places, particularly where we need to even out or reshape sections of road.  

For cost and other reasons – we can’t use it everywhere so we go through a decision process that looks at all the factors when choosing the road seal to use.