Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Major maintenance works are planned for Wellington’s urban motorway next month, meaning drivers will have to plan ahead for getting in and out of the CBD.
Full night closures are planned from Sunday, 9 February to Thursday, 13 February, between 9 pm and 4:30 am.
The works are dependent on good weather, so the closures may be delayed into the following week if required.
While the work is underway, the motorway will be closed to northbound traffic between Karo Drive and Ngauranga Interchange. It will also be closed to southbound traffic between the Terrace offramp and Vivian Street. Drivers will have to use alternate routes to get in and out of Wellington city.
Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Transport Alliance Manager, says significant resurfacing work is planned for the motorway’s northbound lanes and the Terrace Tunnel will have its annual Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF) inspection.
“Crews will resurface around five lane kilometres of the northbound lanes between Aotea Quay onramp and the Ngauranga Interchange. Since December, around 2.5 lane kilometres of this section of highway has already been resurfaced and we still need to resurface a further 2.5 lane kilometres this season. These resurfacing works will make this stretch of road much smoother and safer as it is currently in poor condition.”
“Over 30,000 vehicles use this section of State Highway 1 daily, so it’s crucial that it’s regularly maintained. Closing the road at night when traffic volumes are much lower reduces disruption to drivers.”
Ms Hilliard says the annual BWoF for The Terrace Tunnel is also important.
“The Terrace Tunnel is a vital piece of infrastructure, and it must be inspected, tested and maintained regularly.”
“We will also be making the most of the full closure to complete other tasks as well. This includes renewing digital signs, streetlight maintenance, sign gantry assessments, carrying out structural inspections on overbridges and on and offramps, assessing safety barriers, clearing drains, removing graffiti, and clearing rubbish,” Ms Hillard says.
She says the full closures allow more work to be done faster, are safer for road crews and road users, and they also save traffic management costs.
“However, this full closure and the detour routes mean it will take drivers a little longer to get in and out of the central city. Plan ahead and allow extra time for your travel – particularly if you are heading to Wellington Hospital or Wellington Airport,” Ms Hillard says.
Works Schedule and Detour Routes:
- Sunday, 9 February to Thursday, 13 February. 9 pm – 4:30 am.
- Traffic management set up from 7 pm – drivers can expect delays during this time.
- Northbound closure:
- SH1 Urban Motorway closed between Karo Drive and Ngauranga Interchange
- All northbound on and offramps will be closed – Clifton onramp, Tinakori onramp, Tinakori offramp, May Street onramp and Aotea Quay onramp
- Drivers should detour via Karo Drive – Willis Street – Customhouse/Waterloo/Aotea Quay – Hutt Road – Ngauranga Interchange. See the detour map below.
- Southbound closure:
- SH1 Urban Motorway closed to southbound traffic between The Terrace offramp and Vivian Street
- Drivers should detour via The Terrace offramp and Ghuznee/Victoria/Vivian Streets. See the detour map below.
More Information:
