Waterloo Interchange Upgrade
Description
Waterloo Station, the second busiest station in the region, is a major landmark in the Hutt Valley. This station was built in the late 1980s and has stood the test of time; however, it has come time to make customers journeys better, with the upgrade due to commence in 2027.
Waterloo has been selected as a priority development area – which gives Metlink the opportunity to redevelop Waterloo as an integrated transport hub for the Hutt Valley, linking it with RiverLink, the Lower Hutt CBD, Wellington, Upper Hutt, and the Wairarapa.
This is an exciting project which we know will benefit the thousands of customers that use Waterloo Station every day.
What changes are being planned for Waterloo Station?
Greater Wellington is planning a renewal of Waterloo Station over the coming five years. The station has significant accessibility issues, ageing infrastructure with the station roof at end-of-life, and low-quality connectivity with neighbouring areas. In its current state, Waterloo provides a less-than-ideal experience for able-bodied passengers and considerable challenges for those with mobility needs. Greater Wellington has identified a design that addresses these and other issues affecting the site, while providing opportunities for economic development and growth in the area.
Key elements of this design are:
- A new, more accessible, overpass to provide greater connectivity across the rail corridor.
- A new pedestrian crossing on Cambridge Terrace to replace the aging underpass
- Alignment of the platforms, making them level with the trains
- Improved amenities, shelter and safety measures.
- Improved interconnectivity between travel modes (i.e. Bus and rail connectivity)
- Covered bike shelters for both platforms.
- Dedicated space for a commercial development.
- Upgrades to the bus interchange to better integrate with the station.
- A purpose-built pick-up/drop-off zone.
Greater Wellington’s immediate focus is on the transport and accessibility improvements to the station. We will communicate further thinking on the commercial development opportunities of the renewal work later in the project as our ideas take firmer shape.
When will these changes be happening and how long will they take?
The upgrade of the station is planned to begin in December 2027 with demolition of the existing roof and station office building. This demolition work will take roughly three months to complete. This demolition phase will be followed with construction of the new station and bus interchange.
What impact will the construction have for commuters?
Greater Wellington is committed to creating minimal disruption to commuters during this project. Construction has been planned to align with the annual KiwiRail summer maintenance programme and it is our intention to always maintain cross corridor connection during the construction period.
Why are these changes needed?
Waterloo Station was constructed in 1988 and a number of elements, including the roof canopy and the underpass, are beginning to approach their end of structural life. As this happens, more frequent and costly maintenance is required, until the structure requires a full replacement. By acting now, Greater Wellington is looking to reduce the need and cost of continual maintenance while also providing opportunity for economic development in and around the station.
Many aspects of the current station layout make it less than accessible for commuters. This redevelopment means that we can realign the platforms, making them level with the trains while also introducing elevators up to the new overpass to make the travel from one side of the rail corridor to the other quicker and more accessible for everyone.
Why should an overpass replace the underpass?
When Waterloo Station's current underpass was constructed in 1988, it was given an estimated lifespan of 50 years, and as such the underpass will require a full overhaul and replacement within the next 10 to 15 years.
In addition, Waterloo Station sits above the Waiwhetū Aquifer, a key source of drinking water for the Wellington Region. All urban development poses some risk to the aquifer, but subterranean work, such as the maintenance or replacement of the underpass, poses the greatest level of risk.
The underpass is also a risk during an earthquake where liquefaction could cause the subway to be pushed upward into the rail corridor.
Conversely an overpass would pose lower long-term risk to the aquifer, while allowing greater resilience against natural hazards such as floods or earthquakes.
Next Steps
Greater Wellington is looking to engage in the next round of community consultation in the first half of this year. Till then, you can submit feedback on the project via the form below or by emailing waterloorenewal@gw.govt.nz