Durie Hill Elevator entrance upgrade

Project value$240,000
Contractor nameGemini Pepper Construction
Completion Date03 May 2021

New entranceway to the Durie Hill Tunnel

Following the centennial celebrations for the Durie Hill Tunnel and Elevator in August 2019, the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust initiated a project to upgrade and modernise the entranceway on Anzac Parade.

Contractors began work on Monday, 15 February 2021 and the entranceway and elevator will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.

During the closure vital car maintenance has been scheduled. This maintenance is to ensure it meets all critical compliance and health and safety requirements.

The last upgrade to this area was 3 July 1976 when the current structure was erected by the Rotary Club of Wanganui North, with the Māori carving of a local pattern Poutama Nui Awa carved by L Brassell.

The Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust has successfully raised funds for the construction of the new entrance from the following:

The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board – $140,000
Four Regions Trust – $50,000
Whanganui District Council – $50,000
Fundraising dinner hosted and supported by the Red Lion Inn – $3,500

The entranceway designer is graduate architect Henry Dickson. His design was chosen by the trust following public consultation and a competitive selection process.