Thorndon Quay
Improvements
Improvements have been completed on time and under budget, as part of the broader Hutt Road, Aotea Quay and Thorndon Quay upgrade. These street changes, originally a Let’s Get Wellington Moving project, were co-funded by Wellington City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Thorndon Quay is one of the busiest commuter routes for buses outside the central city, with around 10,000 passengers per day. It’s popular with cyclists too. During the week, around 1,300 cyclists also use the route as part of their daily commute, making it the busiest bike route in town. With the opening of the nearby Te Ara Tupua bike path scheduled for mid-2026, improvements were needed to improve traffic flow, enhance safety for all, and meet future demands for sustainable transport.
Improvements include:
Peak hour bus lane to help improve bus travel times and reliability in morning commuter traffic.
Priority given to buses at Mulgrave Street to improve journey times.
A two-way cycle path on one side of the route to allow space for riders travelling at different speeds and to avoid intersections and the bus interchange, therefore minimising potential collisions with vehicles.
Raised and/or signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings at key points along the route to improve safety.
Traffic lights at Tinakori Road intersection to better manage traffic flow.
Increased CCTV coverage to enable our Traffic Operations team to monitor traffic flow and adjust signal timings as needed to reduce congestion.
Cultural elements designed in partnership with mana whenua.
Enhanced lighting, new street furniture and additional landscaping.
Ongoing monitoring will ensure everything is operating as planned in Thorndon Quay. Mahi might be required to address any minor issues that arise, so you may see an occasional crew or some orange cones on Thorndon Quay if/when needed.
Long-term success of the upgrade will be tracked using a mix of safety, travel, and economic indicators.