Traffic will be diverted away from the State Highway 1 Ngāruawāhia section works site – where remedial and safety improvements are under way – to enable permanent asphalting work. 

Maintenance work at the Gordonton Road Interchange at Taupiri will also require some nights of traffic management for vehicles using the interchange, although there will be no disruption to SH1 traffic.

Key dates are:

• SH1 southbound Ngāruawāhia section night-time road closure: 10-14 September – detours in place
• Gordonton Road Interchange night works: 17-21 September – access restrictions
• SH1 northbound Ngāruawāhia section night-time road closure: 8-12 October – detours on place

The SH1 detour is via Ngāruawāhia township on the old state highway route between Horotiu and Gordonton Road interchanges, from 7pm to 5am. It adds about 5-8 mins to travel times.

HPMVs must use SH1B and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27, under an existing overweight permit.

During the closures contractors will be paving about 2km of asphalt on the southbound right lane and about 800m on the northbound right lane.

At the same time temporary safety barriers will be moved so traffic can be diverted partially on to the shoulder.

Meanwhile the surfacing work on the interchange at Taupiri on 17-21 September will see detours required for traffic coming and going from SH1B and other connections.

The approaches at both ends of the Taupiri overbridge, the roundabouts at each end and the bridge itself need to be resealed.

The works are scheduled for 17-21 September, with work hours 6pm-6am.

There will be limited access on to and off the expressway during these works with traffic detoured via the Ohinewai (Tahuna Road) Interchange. The Hamilton section’s Resolution Interchange can be used for vehicles approaching the interchange and wishing to use Gordonton Road.

Travellers on Gordonton Road will be detoured via Huntly to go north or Horotiu to go south using the old highway route – Great South Road.

Great South Road vehicles will need to stay on Great South Road and travel north to connect with SH1 or south to Horotiu Interchange.

Work is proposed to be completed over five nights however additional days may be required.

Please follow the on-site VMS boards and detour signs and allow extra time for journeys.

Update 8:40 am

The protest has been cleared and all southbound lanes on State Highway 1 are now open.

However, significant traffic congestion remains and drivers can expect ongoing delays until queued traffic clears.

Update 8:10 am

Southbound lane closures remain in place on Wellington’s urban motorway this morning because of protest action.

The incident, near The Terrace Tunnel, was first reported shortly before seven this morning and is causing significant traffic delays for city-bound drivers.

The congestion and delays will remain while the incident continues. Drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes into the Wellington CBD.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found on our website and via our social media channels

• Highway Conditions – Wellington
• @WakaKotahiWgtn

Update 7:20 am

Commuters heading into the Wellington CBD can expect delays this morning because of protest action on the motorway.

Left and centre southbound lanes of State Highway 1 are closed prior to the Terrace Tunnel. Police and contractors are on site.

Drivers should avoid the area if possible and consider alternative routes into the city – such as the Aotea and Murphy Street offramps, or Hutt Road via Kaiwharawhara.

Traffic delays are expected until the incident is resolved. Drivers can check the highway’s status on our website.

• Highway Conditions – Wellington