The government has approved funding for a cycling and walking path connecting Wellington to the Hutt Valley.

Photo: Supplied / Minister of Transport

Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2021. It comes with a $76 million price tag, however $94m in total has been allocated to the project.

In addition, the Transport Agency has approved construction to extend a shared walking and cycling path from Melling to Petone, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said the pathway would provide people from Hutt Valley with congestion-free commuting into the Wellington.

"With the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters, this path will provide people with more options for travelling between the Hutt, Petone, and Wellington City," Ms Genter said.

"The new designs show that the pathway will be an attraction for both visitors and residents alike."

Photo: Supplied / Minister of Transport

"The 5m wide path will include additional space for people to rest, picnic, and fish the coast. An iconic overbridge at Ngauranga will connect people to the coastal pathway."

Ms Genter said the project is the most significant expansion of public access to Wellington's waterfront in decades.

"The seaside path provides a critical resilience upgrade to the network, with protection of State Highway 2 and the rail line from erosion and damaging storm surges.

"In addition, the Transport Agency has approved construction to begin to extend a shared walking and cycling path from Melling to Petone."