Major delays on State Highway 1 from Wellington, as holiday traffic increases

The big Christmas congestion is frustrating motorists on State Highway 1 leaving the capital.

The Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency said Wednesday that there was heavy congestion on SH1 between Waikanae Beach and Ōtaki, and that queues were building up in Pukerua Bay.

Are you stuck in traffic? Email [email protected]

The agency asked motorists to expect significant delays, as congestion was not expected to ease before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Motorist Liz Hay said Stuff they left the Plimmerton roundabout around 12:45 pm. At 2pm they were still “well south of Otaki.”

“We are from the South Island and we have never experienced anything like this. Often there are sections where we don’t move at all. “

Another motorist, Greg Halford, said that an hour and 45 minutes after leaving Wellington they were still 10 kilometers from Otaki.

Previously, there were also delays on State Highway 2 northbound between the Hutt Rd entrance ramp and the Petone exit ramp, however these delays have now been alleviated.

Paekākāriki Hill Rd would also be closed between 12 and 7 pm on Wednesday.

The agency said motorists should use its vacation travel hotspot tool to learn when and where delays are expected across the state highway network.