Karori group’s new tunnel idea

The Karori Residents’ Association has released a proposal for a new Karori tunnel, which it says would open up access for 25,000 residents in the western suburbs.

Proposal writer and retired civil engineer Bill Guest said development in the suburb had been restricted because of a lack of transport.

‘‘For many years, Karori was, and may still well be, the biggest single suburb by population in Wellington City.’’

‘‘With proposed new suburban development plans and plenty of available developable land, Karori is likely to be an area of significant further growth.’’

But without addressing traffic bottlenecks at the current tunnel, built in 1900, development would make it worse.

His proposal was to build a 350m long tunnel, connecting the lower end of The Rigi to Chaytor St, further north than the current tunnel.

A pedestrian and cyclist tunnel would also be built. It would link Chaytor St with either the top of The Rigi, or Northland Rd.

‘‘It solves the problems of access for double-decker bus public transport and similar restrictions on goods vehicles. It also solves other significant issues associated with re-designing the existing tunnel.’’

The Association was calling for a strategic study to be undertaken by Wellington City Council, NZTA and Greater Wellington Regional Council, into the feasibility of the project. Wellington City Council chief planning officer Liam Hodgetts said it was an interesting proposal and ‘‘officers look forward to discussing his idea further’’.