Transmission Gully fully reopens after fuel tanker crash

Emergency services at the site of the fuel spill on Transmission Gully. Photo / Supplied

Transmission Gully north of Wellington has fully reopened after an early-morning crash between a truck and a fuel tanker.

However, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has warned delays are still expected, given the reopening of the northbound lanes has coincided with the afternoon commute and peak traffic times.

The road was closed in both directions earlier today and Fire and Emergency group manager Gareth Hughes said about 1000 litres of 95-octane fuel was spilled.

“The road will remain closed during this time as we continue to monitor the area, including using gas detectors to ensure the people from the fuel company are safe as they complete the decanting.”

However, crews managed to stop it from draining into an “environmentally sensitive” area.

A second fuel tanker was brought in to take the remaining fuel. There was a risk of an explosion until that was completed.

The road reopened after the full cleanup and the road was deemed safe.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Murray Dunbar told the Herald this morning that commuters in and out of the city should expect significant delays as emergency crews and contractors worked to clear the crash site.

The crash was reported just before 6am and a police spokesperson said no injuries were reported.

NZTA Waka Kotahi said the road was closed between Pāutahanui and Paekākāriki.

SH1 PAEKĀKĀRIKI - CRASH - 6:10AM
The road is CLOSED between Pāutahanui and PAEKĀKĀRIKI due to a crash. Northbound travellers please use SH58, SH59 then back on to SH1. Southbound road user detour via SH59. ^SG pic.twitter.com/9vo6Y27R7q

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) April 3, 2023

Fire and Emergency said the fuel tanker was leaking.