Tahitai - Cobham Drive section

Construction continues

We're making improvements for people on foot and on bikes

Construction work to complete the walking and biking paths along the seaward side of Cobham Drive resumed in mid-May 2019.

Cobham Drive separated paths

With the first phase of the two-way coastal bike path on part of Evans Bay already under way, the Cobham Drive paths will be a key part of the connection into the city from Miramar.

Once complete, it will be possible to ride the 7km journey between Miramar cutting and the city without having to ride on the road.

The harbourside route around Akau Tangi/Evans Bay has been named Tahitai, meaning one tide, one journey. It will also form part of a future Te Aranui o Pōneke/Great Harbour Way.

The Cobham Drive section of Tahitai is also part of our plan to turn this area into a proud eastern gateway for Wellington. Cobham Drive is the main route to and from Wellington Airport and is often the first glimpse of the city and its harbour for visitors. It's also home to the Meridian Energy Wind Sculpture Walk.

The first sections of the new paths, between Miramar wharf and Calabar Road, were completed in December 2017. New street lighting poles with LED lights and banners were installed along the Cobham Drive central median during 2018 and early 2019, and cables were moved underground. The old lighting and trolley bus poles were removed as part of this work.

The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2020. Councillors approved the project in June 2017 following community engagement.

At this stage, the project does not include a pedestrian crossing on Cobham Drive but we are working with the NZ Transport Agency on possible solutions for the longer term.

View the construction details

Project timeline and construction updates

Keep up to date with how the project is going, and understand the process so far. New events will be added as the project progresses.

21 July 2019 Traffic changes between the two roundabouts

Work on the new paths will be happening closer to the road from now on, so there will be changes to the road layout on the harbourside of Cobham Drive between the Troy Street and Calabar Road roundabouts.

Through this section, the two airport-bound lanes will be a little narrower than usual, the road shoulder will be out of action, and the speed limit will be reduced from 70km/h to 50km/h. These changes are required to keep the contractors, people on foot and bikes, and other road users safe. People walking or riding should use the temporary shared route and ramps provided, follow signs and take extra care.

For safety reasons, the narrower lanes and 50km/h speed limit will be required on the seaward side of the road where work is happening until the project is finished in mid-2020. The barriers and area affected will shift as the work progresses.

The city-bound traffic lanes are unaffected by this project and the speed limit will remain at 70km/h.

Weather permitting, the temporary lane markings will be painted overnight on Sunday 21 July and the water-filled barriers installed the following night. Eastbound traffic will be down to one lane from about 8pm to 5.30am while this work happens.

15 May 2019 Construction resumes on the walking and biking paths

Construction resumes on the walking and biking paths along Cobham Drive. The work is expected to take about a year to complete. Contractors will start by setting up their main site office on the grassed area near the Zephyrometer wind sculpture and the marina. This area will then be fenced off.

2 April 2019 Trial slip lane closure More Less

The left-turning slip lane on Cobham Drive, adjacent to St Patrick’s College at the Evans Bay Parade intersection, is closed to traffic for a three-month trial.

The closure is part of looking at how this intersection can be made safer for people walking and biking. We're working with the NZ Transport Agency to see if there are any effects on traffic using Cobham Drive.

Drivers can still turn left into Evans Bay Parade at the traffic lights.

If this change is made permanent, it will connect to the new two-way bike path on the St Patrick’s College side of Evans Bay Parade, between Cobham Drive and Kilbirnie Crescent. It would also connect to new walking and biking paths on Cobham Drive and Evans Bay Parade north into the central city.

March 2019 Checks for penguin nests More Less

Before work starts on the next section between Evans Bay Parade and Calabar Road, we have checked to see where kororā (little blue penguins) rest and nest. Find out more

February 2019 Street lighting completed More Less

New streetlight poles with LED lights and banners have been installed on the central median, and utility cables moved underground. The old poles on both sides of Cobham Drive have been removed.

January 2019 Relocation of skinks More Less

Before work starts on the next section between Evans Bay Parade and Calabar Road, we have relocated about 380 mokomoko (native grass skinks) from the work area. Find out more

Tahitai (Cobham Drive)

This section of Tahitai along the harbour side of Cobham Drive connects Miramar Avenue to Evans Bay Parade.

Tap to navigate map

Concepts and documents

View supporting documents and initial concepts for the Cobham Drive improvements.

Route video

Travel along the Cobham Drive route and you’ll see how and where we plan to make improvements.

Cobham Drive news