Wellington region roads and rail - update
It has been a quiet night for Wellington’s Emergency Management team based on Turnbull Street, following the deluge of rain yesterday. The region’s main state highways (with the exception of SH58) are all open, however, there are still some disruptions to rail services.
Wellington City Controller, Simon Fleisher says: “Our priority overnight has been on securing the area around Molesworth Street that is cordoned off between Hawkestone and Hill Streets, due to the building that has been structurally damaged (61 Molesworth Street).”
While Wellington City is mostly back to normal, Fleisher says to still expect some peak hour traffic delays. “To help with this potential problem, if you don’t have to come into the city and can work from home you should discuss this option with your employer – but, the city is still open for business.”
Yesterday’s torrential rain, following Monday’s big earthquake, caused problems on roads around the Wellington region and in Wellington City. Here’s an update on road conditions – and what’s open and closed:
Roads
- State Highway 1 – OPEN in both directions. Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton is DOWN TO ONE LANE due to a slip. Expect delays due to morning peak traffic. Caution advised.
- State Highway 2 – OPEN in both directions. Caution advised.
- State Highway 58 Haywards – between SH2 intersection through to Postgate Drive is now OPEN with a STOP/GO in place at Judgeford
- State Highway 58 Paremata to Whitby - OPEN to eastbound light vehicles and buses only. Heavy haulage vehicles are encouraged to use SH1 and SH2
- Grays Road – between Pauatahanui and Plimmerton – still CLOSED
- One lane of Featherston Street in the Wellington CBD has been reopened to traffic.
- Molesworth Street, between Hill Street and Hawkestone Street, is closed to traffic and pedestrians due to the collapse danger presented by a multi-storey office building at 61 Molesworth Street.
- Block Road, Melling - still CLOSED.
- Paekakariki Hill Road - still CLOSED
- A slip has affected a section of Shelly Bay Road south of the old Air Force base and may take a few days to clear. The road is open on either side of the slip.
- Takarau Gorge Road, between Johnsonville and Makara Beach, is closed by slips.
- A slip has blocked South Makara Road south of the golf course and the road is likely to be closed for up to a week.
- Kapiti Line rail services cancelled between Porirua and Waikanae due to slips until further notice. NO REPLACEMENT SERVICES – please check Metlink website for the latest news.
- Kereru Station closed due to flooding.
- Johnsonville, Melling and Wairarapa lines – normal services running.
- Hutt Valley normal timetable operating, reduced seating on 6AM Upper Hutt–Wellington.
- Petone subway closed due to flooding, station access via overbridge.
- Pomare station is open.
- Ava station pedestrian access by stairs only, ramp is closed - no pram or wheelchair access.
For public transport updates and the state of the region’s roads, check the Metlink and NZTA websites:
For information on Council facilities, city outages and road closures, go to: http://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/emergency-management/city-outages-and-closures
Wellington car parking buildings – open and closed
Open:
- Clifton Terrace carpark - restricted space available
- Capital carpark, 50-60 Boulcott St
- 37 Boulcott St
- 80 Boulcott St
- Athol Cres
- Plimmer Tower
- (VSPC) Victoria St Parking
- Lower Willis
- Bond St
- James Cook Hotel
- ANZ Tower / Intercontinental
- Queens Wharf
- HBSC
- 132 The Terrace
- Dixon St
- 125 The Terrace
- Upper Willis St
- 157 Lambton Quay
- 99 The Terrace
- Cable St
- Skyline
- Ghuznee St
- Cumberland House
- Garrett St
- Cuba St
- Victoria St
- York St
- Wakefield St
- Chaffers St
- Knigges Ave
- Alpha St
- Kate Sheppard Pl
- Top of Tory
- Station Carpark
- Pipitea Marae
- Thorndon Central
- Murphy St
- Thorndon Quay
Closed:
Harris Street, Courtenay Central, Molsworth and James Smith carparks - closed awaiting assessment
Mowbray, off Bolton Street, Gilmer Terrace, Midland Carpark - Waring Taylor Street, Lombard Street, Marion Street, Left Bank, Ballantrae, Stout Street, Lower Tory Street - all these Wilson's parking carparks are closed awaiting assessment. If you are trying to get into a carpark building that is currently closed you can go to an alternative Pay & Display Wilson's park and display your access card on your dashboard. To find alternative locations go to Wilson's Parking website or call 0800 727 592.
On street parking is available on roads that are open.
Molesworth Street exclusion zone
A multi-storey office building at 61 Molesworth Street (western side of the street, just south of Hawkestone Street) was badly damaged in the earthquake on Monday 14 November and is at risk of collapse.
To ensure public safety, the area around the building has been closed to pedestrians and traffic.
Cordons have been set up by the Fire Service and Wellington City Council at the Hill Street and Hawkestone Street intersections with Molesworth Street.
We are taking a ‘safety first’ approach and want people to respect the cordons, which will stay in place until further notice.
A number of buildings close to 61 Molesworth Street are off-limits to occupants and the public.
If you work around the Molesworth Street area or usually walk down the street to get to your work, look out for guides that will point you to alternative routes around the cordoned area. Police will be stationed on the corner of Mulgrave and Aitken Streets to provide traffic management and safe crossing for pedestrians. Given the schools in the area, commuters and pedestrians should allow more time to get to their destination.
People who work in those buildings should contact their employer for further information.
Affected buildings include:
- Royal Thai Embassy
- New Zealand Rugby Union headquarters building and the tenancies within – including NZ Post and Audit New Zealand
- Red Cross offices
- Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
A number of private houses accessed off Collina Terrace have also been evacuated.
For further updates follow us on Facebook or Twitter or refer to Wellington Region Emergency Management (WREMO).