Drivers travelling north through Wellington next week should plan ahead for overnight closures on State Highway 1 and changes to existing detour routes.

From Sunday, 8 November to Thursday, 12 November between 9 pm and 4:30 am each night:

• The SH1 Terrace Tunnel will be closed to northbound traffic.
• The Aotea Quay northbound onramp will be closed.

Important change for northbound drivers

Drivers using the existing Karo Drive northbound detour need to be aware of changes to detour routes and restrictions on northbound motorway access.

With the Aotea Quay northbound onramp closed, traffic will not be able to rejoin the motorway at Aotea Quay. There will also be no northbound access to the motorway at the Tinakori Road or Molesworth Street onramps.

Northbound drivers will need to remain on Hutt Road and rejoin State Highway 1 or State Highway 2 at the Ngauranga Interchange (see map below).

Drivers should allow extra time for their journeys and follow the signposted detour route.

Additional closure on Wednesday night

There will be an additional closure on Wednesday, 11 November, with the Arras Tunnel will also be closed to all traffic between 9 pm and 4:30 am. This is for scheduled monthly maintenance work.

Northbound traffic will need to detour via Cambridge Terrace and the waterfront, continuing towards Hutt Road and the Ngauranga Interchange (see map below).

The Terrace Tunnel and Aotea Quay northbound onramp closures will also be in place that night.

Why the work is being combined

The urban motorway maintenance has been timed to coincide with the ongoing Terrace Tunnel closures associated with the Karo Drive Improvements.

Coordinating the work means crews can complete a range of maintenance activities while closures are already in place. This reduces the need for additional closures and helps minimise overall disruption to road users.

Maintenance will include road resurfacing, drainage, lighting, vegetation, signage, and other routine motorway maintenance.

Travel advice

The changed detours will require extra travel time. Drivers should allow extra time for their journeys, follow the signposted route, and observe all temporary speed limits. 

Roadworks on the urban motorway north of the Aotea Quay onramp will start first. Weather and progress permitting, they may be completed earlier than planned. This means the onramp may open to traffic ahead of schedule and planned detours may change.

Timeframes for roadworks can change at short notice, so road users are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.

Work schedules and detour routes

Terrace Tunnel and Aotea Quay onramp works

• Sunday 8 November to Thursday 12 November, 9pm – 4:30am
  • SH1 Terrace Tunnel CLOSED to northbound traffic
  • Aotea Quay northbound onramp CLOSED

Arras Tunnel

• Wednesday 11 November, 9pm to 4:30am
  • Arras Tunnel CLOSED to all traffic (note that closures will also be in place for the SH1 Terrace Tunnel and Aotea Quay northbound onramp)

More information

• Wellington Transport Alliance (external link)
• Frequently asked questions (external link)
• SH1 Karo Drive Improvements (external link)