1.45 pm update

State Highway 58 has reopened between Postgate Drive and Oak Avenue. This route was closed this morning due to a fallen tree. The highway is now open in both directions.

The highway has also reopened between State Highway 1 and Moonshine Hill Road intersection - previously closed by flooding

All state highway’s in the  Wellington region are now open.

While the bad weather is easing, wet weather road conditions remain, and contractors continue to clear hazards across the highway network.

Motorists are asked to drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays (particularly during the evening commute), and to check road and weather conditions before they travel.

11.30 am update

With water levels rising in the Ruamahanga River, people travelling in Wairarapa to Martinborough are warned the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 may close today due to flooding.

For safety reasons, the bridge cannot be used by traffic when the river’s level exceeds 4.5 metres at the bridge.

While local road detours are available during a closure, they are much longer and require extra travel time. The bad weather has also closed local roads in the area, meaning not all usual routes are available.

Detour route

• Clareville to Martinborough: Use Francis Line, Gladstone Road, Longbush Road, Hinakura Road, and Todds Road. 

With official weather warnings still in place for the Lower North Island, drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel.

10.40 am update

State Highway 2 has reopened to northbound traffic in the Hutt Valley following its earlier closure this morning.

However, the route is still affected by slips and flooding and lane closures are in place. Drivers can expect ongoing delays travelling through the area and should take extreme care.

State Highway 58 remains closed at Judgeford between the SH1/Transmission Gully Interchange and Moonshine Hill Road intersection. Drivers should avoid the area and delay their travel.

State Highway 58 is also closed between Postgate Drive and Oak Avenue due to a fallen tree.

9.15 am update

Because of flooding, State Highway 58 is now closed at Judgeford between the SH1/Transmission Gully Interchange and Moonshine Hill Road intersection. Drivers should avoid the area and delay their travel.

State Highway 58 is also closed between Postgate Drive and Oak Avenue due to a tree fall.

State Highway 2 remains closed to northbound traffic just north of the State Highway 58 offramp. With Eastern Hutt Road in the Hutt Valley also closed due to flooding, no immediate local road detours are available. 

Road crews are working hard to reopen routes and clear debris and are responding to multiple call outs across the network. 

Drivers are asked to follow all traffic management in place where incidents are being cleared, and to follow all instructions from contractors and emergency services.

With the bad weather forecast to continue into this afternoon and evening, drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel and to take extreme care on the roads.

SH2 Remutaka Hill night closures

Due to the ongoing bad weather, the planned maintenance closure of SH2 Remutaka Hill  tonight has been cancelled. 

Maintenance closures planned for Tuesday to Thursday nights will continue as planned, weather-permitting.

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6:30am update

Severe weather continues to affect the Wellington and Wairarapa regions this morning, and drivers are urged to take extreme care on the roads.

Contractors have been responding to multiple incidents overnight and the bad weather has caused closures on highways around Wellington.

Multiple Metservice weather warnings for wind and rain remain in force for the Lower North Island and Marlborough.

Closures:

State Highway 58 is currently closed between Postgate Drive and Oak Avenue due to a tree fall.

State Highway 2 is closed to northbound traffic just north of the State Highway 58 offramp, also due to an overnight treefall.

Drivers should avoid these areas use alternative routes on local roads until these sites are cleared.

Contractors are working hard to respond to incidents across the network. However, safety is critical and due to the high winds, some tree falls may take some time to clear.

Travel Advice:

Road users must drive to the conditions,  be prepared for weather hazards, and to expect travel delays

Strong winds increase the risk of tree falls, downed power lines, and blown debris. High-sided vehicles (eg trucks and vans), light vehicles, and motorcycles should also exercise caution on exposed routes like SH2 Remutaka Hill and the Wainui Saddle on SH1 Transmission Gully.

Heavy rain means drivers should be prepared for localised flooding and the chance of slips and rockfalls. 

Because wet roads can be slippery, drivers should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and avoid sudden braking.