SH1 closed for 90 minutes from Paekakariki to Plimmerton because of flooding
Wellington.Scoop
State Highway 1 was closed for 90 minutes late this morning between Paekakariki and the Plimmerton roundabout, because of flooding.
NZTA first reported flooding at the roundabout at 10.20, when it recommended “extra care.”
The closure was reported at 11am, with advice to “delay your journey or avoid the area.” SH1 was still closed at midday. The Paekakariki Hill road was also closed.
Then at 12.30, NZTA advised that SH1 had been reopened to one lane in both directions between Paekakariki and the Plimmerton Roundabout. Grays Road and the Paekakariki Hill Road remained closed because of flooding. SH1 was fully reopened at 2.55.
There were also problems for Metlink trains.
Services between Porirua and Paekakariki were stopped at 11.15, because of a slip on the line north of Plimmerton. At 11.30, Kiwirail staff started working to clear the slip.
Bus replacements were at first on hold because the road was closed. When they started running again, there were delays because of congestion on the reopened highway. The congestion continued for southbound traffic through the afternoon, with 45 minute delays at 1.30 and 15 minute delays at 6pm. Congestion had cleared by 6.45.
KPL Update 3:45pm: Buses continue to replace train services between Porirua and Waikanae due to a track obstruction https://t.co/gjPsbZXHnb
— Metlink Wellington (@metlinkwgtn) November 29, 2020
KPL Update 5:10pm: Trains are running to timetable, buses continue to replace services between Porirua and Waikan… https://t.co/gjPsbZXHnb
— Metlink Wellington (@metlinkwgtn) November 29, 2020
Train services will be back to normal on Monday.
Akatarawa Road still open? It’d be a nightmare! Plimmerton roundabout floods too often – I guess NZTA is pretty relaxed about that, given that Transmission Gully is just a year away, but meanwhile it’s pretty shameful that the capital is cut off by road to the north. [via twitter]