Despite the cost blowouts, Hutt South MP Ginny Anderse said the region had come up trumps following the announcement. She was particularly pleased with Melling. “There was a time when it was uncertain [it would get funded]. A lot was being spent supporting businesses. We fought like heck to get this.”
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
The Melling Interchange on SH2 in Lower Hutt is one of several projects secured under the $12.8b NZ Upgrade Programme. The Melling project will remove the signal controlled intersection on State Highway 2 which have been blamed for congestion and accidents. It will also involve installing new flood protection for Lower Hutt.