All FAQs

What’s happening, why, when, and how?

Take a look at our summary page which provides a high-level overview of the project.

Which roads will be affected?

The route for the works spans 1.2km along the following streets:

See the route in detail on our map.

Who’s involved?

Wellington Electricity is the electricity distribution business that's responsible for managing the poles, wires and equipment that deliver electricity to the homes and businesses of Wellington, the Hutt Valley and Porirua.

For this project, we’re working with a number of contracting companies who are experts in this type of work. We're also working closely with Wellington City Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to help keep any disruption to a minimum.

We’ve engaged other utility providers (that’s water, gas and telecommunications) too, which means that:

• any digging can take place safely and without any impact to essential services such as mains water; and
• those providers can take any opportunities to work in the same areas as us. This reduces future disruption through the use of a ‘one dig’ approach.

We’ve also been talking with other stakeholders who are likely to be affected, such as Metlink and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

We’ve written to local residents and businesses to let them know how they might be impacted. We’ll also visit the area to discuss any concerns that locals might have, and work closely with people to find ways in which we can minimise disruption.

Where can I find the latest updates?

See what's planned and check the real-time status of the project here. We’ll also have signs along the route.

As we progress, we’ll carry out regular letter drops which will include project updates as well as details on the timing and impact of work outside affected properties.

How will the works take place?

A work crew will typically complete 5-20 metres of digging each day, installing ducts and filling in the dig sites as they go. We will have more than one crew working at a time on different sections of the route to help speed things up and reduce the impact on residents and businesses. Work will typically take place between the hours of 7am and 6pm during weekdays and on Saturdays (with some work during the evening/overnight and on Sundays, where required).

When it comes to joining sections of cable together, our crews will be in that location for a longer period of time. You can check these locations on our route map.

Each work site will normally require one traffic lane to be closed, which will allow work to be undertaken as safely and with the shortest disruption possible. On some streets, we’ll set up bigger work sites to reduce the amount of time required. Due to traffic management measures that we’ll put in place along the route, you may see some changes in traffic flows and parking along your street.

Some work will need to be carried out at night to reduce disruption to traffic and for the safety of our crews.

Why are you digging up the roads?

We came up with a number of options to avoid having to dig up the roads, but they were less practical. This is because we need space for our cable ducts and there are already a lot of other pipes and cables (for water, gas and telecommunications) along the route.

We carefully selected the route based on a number of factors, including:

• The shortest practical length.
• Minimising disruption to traffic and to the public.
• Working around existing pipes and cables from other utility providers.

Unfortunately, there is no route we could have chosen that wouldn’t have involved some disruption – but we are focused on keeping this to a minimum.

How will this affect access to my property?

Where a work site is established outside properties, vehicle access to those properties will be restricted. However, work sites will be ‘rolling’, which means that parking and garage/driveway access will typically be maintained where possible. Pedestrian access won’t be obstructed, but footpaths will in many cases be narrowed or diverted in some places.

In situations where vehicle access is completely blocked, we’ll write to the occupiers of these properties to let them know in advance when this will be. A single property shouldn’t usually be affected for more than one day at a time, but we might need to return to the same place at a later stage in the project.

Most roads will only be partially closed and there will be at least one lane kept open. Narrow streets such as Haining Street will become ‘no through roads’ while work is undertaken, but will still be accessible from each end for the majority of the time.

Will there be any noise or other impacts?

There will be noise, but we’ll try and keep this to a minimum where possible. We’ll also make sure that any noise stays within the thresholds required by noise regulations, and will keep the Council informed.

We'll need to carry out some work at night around the following intersections:

• Cuba Street and State Highway 1 (Karo Drive). This is expected to take 3-4 nights.
• Haining Street and Taranaki Street. This is expected to take two nights and will affect access to Wigan Street.

There may also be dust generated from the work sites, which we will try and minimise. We’ll ensure that any dust is cleaned off properties if necessary.

Which bus routes will be affected?

At some stages in the project, there may be minor delays to the 3, 18e and 27 bus routes that run along Taranaki Street. Please contact Metlink for more information.

Will you be turning off power?

As we’ll be installing new cables alongside existing ones, we don't plan on any interruption to your electricity supply during the course of these works.

In the unlikely event of a power outage, please check our website first, then contact your electricity retailer if there’s no information showing (as we might not be aware of the outage).

I have a mobility impairment (or there’s another reason why my property access needs to be unhindered at all times) – what should I do?

Please contact us at the earliest opportunity so that we can work together to find a solution.

I have a complaint – who should I speak to?

Please contact us so that we can work with you to resolve any concerns that you might have.