Ngauranga Interchange
Encyclopedia
The Ngauranga Interchange is a major interchange
in the suburb of Ngauranga
, in Wellington City
, New Zealand
. The Ngauranga interchange connects State Highways
1 and 2
with each other, and also allows traffic to connect to Hutt Road, for access to the interisland ferry terminals. The majority of traffic in and out of Wellington City use this interchange.
It is the southern terminus of State Highway 2
.
. Traffic connecting to Hutt Road or the other highway northbound (i.e. SH1 south to SH2 north, and SH2 south to SH1 north) exit their respective highways, and meet with Hutt Road and each other at traffic lights below the interchange.
Northbound traffic on both SH1 Wellington Urban Motorway and Hutt Road have the choice of going onto SH1 north or SH2 north. Hutt Road traffic either proceed straight (for SH1) or turn right (for SH2) at the aforementioned traffic lights below the interchange. Wellington Urban Motorway traffic either proceed straight (for SH2) or exit (for SH1) at the interchange.
There is no connection between Hutt Road and the Wellington Urban Motorway.
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. Traffic from SH1 stopped at the traffic lights, and could turn right for Hutt Road and Wellington, or turn left for the SH2 and the Hutt Valley. SH1 traffic could not access the motorway.
In 1984, two new ramps opened, allowing traffic from SH1 to access the motorway. This is how the exchange is today.
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
in the suburb of Ngauranga
Ngauranga
Ngauranga is a suburb of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, in the lower North Island. Situated on the western bank of Wellington Harbour, it lies to the north of the centre of the city. It is a Maori name meaning "the landing place", and the original spelling was "Nga-Uranga"...
, in Wellington City
Wellington City
Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Wellington city extends as far north as Linden, and includes the rural areas of Makara and Ohariu. It is New Zealand's third-largest city, behind Auckland and Christchurch.Wellington attained city status in...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The Ngauranga interchange connects State Highways
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
1 and 2
New Zealand State Highway 2
State Highway 2 is one of New Zealand's eight national highways. With the exception of State Highway 1, which runs the length of both of the country's main islands, SH 2 is the longest highway in the North Island...
with each other, and also allows traffic to connect to Hutt Road, for access to the interisland ferry terminals. The majority of traffic in and out of Wellington City use this interchange.
It is the southern terminus of State Highway 2
New Zealand State Highway 2
State Highway 2 is one of New Zealand's eight national highways. With the exception of State Highway 1, which runs the length of both of the country's main islands, SH 2 is the longest highway in the North Island...
.
Design
Southbound traffic on both State Highways 1 and 2 connect directly to the Wellington Urban MotorwayWellington Urban Motorway
The Wellington Urban Motorway, part of SH 1, is the major road into and out of Wellington, New Zealand. It is 7 km long, ranges from three to six lanes wide, and extends from the base of the Ngauranga Gorge into the Wellington CBD....
. Traffic connecting to Hutt Road or the other highway northbound (i.e. SH1 south to SH2 north, and SH2 south to SH1 north) exit their respective highways, and meet with Hutt Road and each other at traffic lights below the interchange.
Northbound traffic on both SH1 Wellington Urban Motorway and Hutt Road have the choice of going onto SH1 north or SH2 north. Hutt Road traffic either proceed straight (for SH1) or turn right (for SH2) at the aforementioned traffic lights below the interchange. Wellington Urban Motorway traffic either proceed straight (for SH2) or exit (for SH1) at the interchange.
There is no connection between Hutt Road and the Wellington Urban Motorway.
History
Before the construction of the Wellington Urban Motorway, the interchange composed of 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. Traffic from SH1 stopped at the traffic lights, and could turn right for Hutt Road and Wellington, or turn left for the SH2 and the Hutt Valley. SH1 traffic could not access the motorway.
In 1984, two new ramps opened, allowing traffic from SH1 to access the motorway. This is how the exchange is today.