Kelvin Grove Rd/Stoney Creek Rd improvements to get underway in 2026
Published on 19 December 2025
Palmerston North City Council has approved the first stage of long-awaited safety improvements for Stoney Creek Road and Kelvin Grove Road, progressing a project the community has been calling for over many years.
At its meeting this week, Council approved the tender for construction for Stoney Creek Road, marking the first step in delivering safety upgrades across both roads. The decision reflects the Council responding to long-standing community feedback and moving the project from planning into construction.
Mayor Grant Smith says the approval shows the Council listening to the community and delivering essential transport infrastructure.
“This is a project the community has been asking for over a long period of time, and approving this first stage is an important milestone. Starting construction on Stoney Creek Road while continuing design work on Kelvin Grove Road means we’re making progress across the whole project.”
Stoney Creek Road construction
Elected Members have approved the contract for construction on the first section of Stoney Creek Road, from Kelvin Grove Road to just before 186 Stoney Creek Road.
The upgrades will widen the two-lane road to provide shoulders on both sides, fill some dips to create a flatter, safer road surface, and include stormwater improvements, with similar widening, flattening and stormwater work planned for Kelvin Grove Road.
Stage 1 Construction is expected to begin in mid-late January and will take around six months to complete. Stage 2 (from 186 to the School) is expected to start in Spring. Over the coming weeks, Council staff will work with the successful contractor to confirm start dates, traffic management plans and access arrangements. A further update will be provided once these details are finalised.
For residents within this first section of work, Council staff have met with them in July and August, and they will receive a letter now, and the project team will talk to them again when more details about the construction are confirmed.
Kelvin Grove Road design work
Design work remains ongoing for the remaining section of Kelvin Grove Road, from Garrick Lane to Henaghans Road. Council staff expect to meet with residents in this area in 2026 to discuss the design outside their properties. Construction will likely occur next summer.
Council thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as work progresses and will continue to provide updates as construction planning is confirmed.