Transmission Gully

“Not in our lifetime” people used to say when talking about the proposed Transmission Gully road.  And so it seemed, after all there's been public interest in a route inland through Transmission Gully for more than 100 years.  Way back in 1919 Otaki MP William Field's made a proposal for "road and railway communications between Wellington and the coastal plain that begins at Paekākāriki".  And in the 1940s proposals to develop the route for military purposes was floated.  Finally in December 1999 the National government gives the project the green light, with tolls likely to help offset costs.  On September 2014 Prime Minister John Key turns first sod on Transmission Gully.  After years of delays and set backs, the official opening of Transmission Gully finally takes place with the road opens to the public 31 March 2022.  And we got to drive over it for the first time today – not a toll booth in sight.

We entered the 27km four-lane motorway at Paekakariki and were soon driving up through a chain of steep-sided, isolated valleys between the Kapiti Coast and Tawa, through hills east of Porirua. The name comes from the 110,000-volt transmission line that formerly ran through it.

Here we go

We kept an eye out for the Rainbow Bridge – and there it was.  Gareth Morgan has installed a 16m rainbow bridge on the 4th hole of The Morgan's Golf Course. The bridge was from Trentham and was made from historic railway tracks. He was approached by someone who had the bridge in their yard, built in 1906 using 1870s railway track steel.  But, at 16m long, Morgan had very little use for it as there were no chasms that wide to be crossed in his project. Even so, he went and checked it out and decided he wanted it, regardless of need.  It certainly is a talking point on this brand new road.

The Rainbow Bridge

We travelled the length of the new road, which then joined into the existing SH1, and we made our way to Churton Park, where we were meeting our SLG friends for lunch.  Must say that Churton Park is not a place we have stopped at before.  And here’s Simmer Café, Trish was inside waiting for us.

Outside the café was this little ditty written on a board.

The others soon arrived and we sat down to check out what was on offer.  Lots of possibilities, and for once, everyone chose a different dish.  I couldn't go past the salmon, and Robin decided Belly Pork was just right for him.  We had a great time chatting away, devouring our  lunches, and catching up with all the news.

Helen, Calvin, Trish, Yvonne, Ashley, Robin and me

It was finally  time to say our goodbyes and head back home, travelling north on the new motorway this time.  It certainly is a much quicker road, instead of driving up the coast past Kapiti Island.

Home we go

The highest point of the road  is the Wainui Saddle, and once up and over a lovely view of the sea opens up

It’s always exciting travelling a new to us road, and this will definitely make a difference on our travels south.  There were plenty of trucks on the road, so no doubt Robin will want to give it a go towing our caravan sometime soon.