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John nicholson
The Mount Victoria Tunnel in Wellington was blocked on Tuesday morning (file photo).
Wind and breakdowns have caused delays for Wellington commuters as roads are closed across the region.
The Remutaka Hill between Featherston and Upper Hutt was forced to close at 7.40 am due to wind gusts of over 140 km / h. The road reopened at 8.05am.
Waka Kotahi NZTA still warned travelers to be careful, with winds over 100 km / h.
People riding in high-sided vehicles and motorcycles were urged to exercise special care.
READ MORE:
* Two injured in a southbound lane-blocking accident on the Hutt side of Remutaka Hill.
* The Mount Victoria Tunnel reopens after an earlier closure during Wellington’s rush hour travel time.
* Mt Victoria tunnel reopens after accident
* Wellington’s Mount Victoria Tunnel on State Highway 1 reopened after accident
MetService said Wellington residents should brace for a wild day on Tuesday, with a strong wind warning across the region until 1 a.m. Wednesday.
MetService meteorologist Andy Best said gusts could reach 120 km / h in exposed locations, potentially knocking down trees and power lines, and flipping trampolines if they were not secured.
Average wind speed at the top of Remutaka Hill Road was 89 km / h, and MetService recorded gusts of 137 km / h.
At Wellington Airport, the average wind speed was 43 km / h, with gusts of hurricane-force winds of 63 km / h.
It is the start of a typically turbulent spring week for the region, with alternating winds from the northwest and southwest, although things are expected to improve by Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Mount Victoria Tunnel was closed due to a fault, but has since reopened.
NZTA said there had been a breakdown in the tunnel at 7:30 am Tuesday.
Police said the road reopened at 7.40am
The cause of the blockage was a fault in a southbound lane.
