Hell holiday weekend: SH1 and SH2 closed north of Wellington

Things are getting worse on Wellington's roads.

Highways 1 and 2 north of the city are now closed.

Police say SH2 is completely stuck on Rimutaka Hill after two trucks are stuck in a corner.

A vehicle also broke down near Featherston on Remutaka Hill, blocking the road.

SH2 is also closed in Waihi, after the fall of three cars.

SH1 is closed until further notice following an early morning truck accident near Pukerua Bay on the Kapiti Coast.

The truck and trailer carrying hazardous substances rolled on State Highway 1 north of Porirua, blowing chemicals on the road and shutting down most of the day.

NZTA Systems Manager Mark Owen said motorists must understand that Paekakariki Hill Road is a narrow, steep and windy road.

"Holiday weekends are always busy and with increasing traffic on the road and with this additional closure of the road, we expect more congestion and delays in this area.

"We are asking motorists to consider delaying their travel and, where possible, consider leaving once the road has been reopened and the traffic will be less dense."

Once SH1 is open, it will take some time to clear the truck off the road.

The road is closed in both directions between Pukerua Bay and Plimmerton after the single vehicle incident at 3:45 am.

Police warn that the road could remain closed until late this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was looking for advice on the best way to treat chemicals, a spokeswoman said.

The driver of the truck was slightly injured.

Witnesses said that there was a significant presence of emergency services on the scene, with major detours in place.

The detour for the closure of the SH1 road is via Paekākāriki Hill Rd but is only suitable for light vehicles.

Police said the trucks were prevented from moving north and south on the detour.

The cars turn at the roundabout near the Palmers Garden Center in Plimmerton.

Grant Patterson, a resident of the area, said the road along the coast was calm.

"After what I can see, there is no car on the road to Pukerua Bay, about ten trucks are stuck at the weigh station."

NZTA Regional Transportation Manager Mark Owen said the incident was going to have a significant impact throughout the morning and probably the rest of the day.

"Obviously, we are very aware that many people want to leave the city for the long weekend, so we will work all morning to define our plans."

Residents of Paraparaumu and Waikanae were invited to work at home whenever they could.

Ian Lyall, owner of Brentwood Transport Limited, a freight company based in Lower Hutt, managed to get to Wellington from Kapiti just before the road closed this morning.

"I leave the house around 3:15 am so I was right in front of it.

"I got here and I guess I'm going to Australia today, my son is still stuck in Paraparaumu but he's going to jump on a train, get to town and I'll get him."

Lyall said that it was a major drawback and that he felt sorry for all the people sitting in the traffic.

"I imagine that there are a lot of headaches for people leaving for the weekend.Unfortunately, it's not the right time."

Lyall normally said that they would send one or two trucks along the Kapiti coast, but that today they had to go through Remutaka Hill Road and through Wairarapa.

"There is Palmerston North cargo on board so he has to get there today, which will probably add about half an hour to the trip."

The NZTA has announced that it will provide its next update by 14 hours.

The planned closure of Paekākāriki Hill Road has been canceled for today and the road will remain open.

Owen said teams would work with truck drivers at both ends of the road closure.

"Usually we stack them up and they will have to wait until we have more advice on the options."

The detour was to be closed today from noon to 9 pm to ensure the safety of the holidaymakers.

This was due to the risk to the motorists due to the winding and winding road and the merging with the holiday traffic on Highway 1.

Owen said that Paekākāriki Hill Rd was narrow and tortuous and not a highway.

He said motorists must be patient and careful.

"There are quite blind turns on this road and we want to try to reduce speed, to keep this road open and safe for all those who need it."

At the same time, several accidents on Auckland's transportation network caused delays for commuters who tried to get to work in advance before the long weekend.

Accidents have been reported on the North West and South Motorways.

Northern Highway

Heavy traffic in the city between Tristram Avenue and Onewa Road.

Free movement for the south.

Southern Highway

Heavy traffic towards the city between Papakura and Takanini, then between Penrose Rd and Greenlane.

Free movement for the south.

Northwest Highway

Fort by Royal Road due to a blockage blocking the middle lane linked to the South Highway just past Newton Road, causing delays on Rosebank Road.

The Westbound and Waterview Tunnel is free flowing.

Southwest Highway

Southbound traffic is intense through Maioro and Queenstown streets.

Free traffic for the Northbound and Waterview tunnel.