Severe weather forces several road closures in Lower North Island - delay non-essential travel

Waka Kotahi is urging people to delay all non-essential travel with several highways closed in the Lower North Island due to slips, flooding and severe winds.

Wellington 

• SH2 at Melling is CLOSED northbound due to large slip above the road. A geotechnical assessment is underway.
• SH58 is CLOSED due to a large slip.
• SH59 (old SH1) has surface water across Plimmerton roundabout – open with caution advised. SH59 is reduced to one lane at Mana due to a waste water issue.
• SH53 (Wairarapa) is CLOSED at Waihenga Bridge due to rising river levels.

Manawatū-Whanganui 

• SH1 is CLOSED at Marton (Calico Line) due to flooding.
• SH56 is CLOSED at Opiki due to floodway operation.
• The Pahiatua Track is open with speed restriction and traffic management in place due to a large tree down on the road. A closure is likely to allow the tree to be fully cleared.

With severe weather making driving hazardous and further road closures likely, Waka Kotahi is urging people to delay all non-essential travel in the region until further notice.

he severe weather is forecast to continue throughout the day.

Waka Kotahi advises motorists to plan ahead by checking social media or our Journey Planner(external link) before heading out.

Updates will also be provided as the situation unfolds on the Waka Kotahi Twitter(external link) account.

Information on weather warnings and watches is available from Metservice(external link).