Wellington: What you need to know this morning

Road closures

State Highway 1 from Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton: Down to one lane southbound because of a slip.

State Highway 2 from Ngauranga to Petone: Temporary layout for the Hutt on-ramp in place because of a slip. State Highway 1 and 2 split down to one lane for merging.

State Highway 58 from Haywards to Postgate Drive: Now open with a stop/go in place at Judgeford.

State Highway 58 from Paremata to Postgate: The road is open to eastbound traffic only because of a slip. Westbound traffic is being diverted through Whitby.

For the latest updates in Wellington, listen to Time Saver Traffic

HEADS UP: #SH1 Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton remains DOWN TO ONE LANE SOUTHBOUND due to a slip. Expect delays during morning peak traffic. ^EL

— Waka Kotahi Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) November 16, 2016

Transport

Trains are all operating on normal timetables.

Buses are almost back to normal schedules this morning apart from the diversion around Molesworth and Brandon streets.

Kaitaki and Kaiarahi ferries are carrying foot passengers out of Wellington to Picton, but foot passengers are still unable to travel between Picton and Wellington.

KiwiRail is working with Port of Marlborough and has identified a safe area for disembarking foot passengers. It is investigating how quickly the terminal can become operational.

Weather outlook

The MetService has a severe weather outlook in place until 8.30pm.

Cold southerly gales could become severe this afternoon and evening in Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. Significant rainfall is also expected.

A high of 15C is expected.

Cordons and building damage

The cordon around the office building at 61 Molesworth St has been reduced. Yesterday a decision was made to deconstruct the building, and planning is under way how best to do it.

Buildings near 61 Molesworth St will remain closed.

Hawkestone St has reopened to traffic. Pedestrians can walk on the northern side of the street (the same side as the ACC building).

Homes on Collina Ave, behind 61 Molesworth St, remain evacuated although access will be possible after 10am, accompanied by Usar, Welfare or Civil Defence staff. Affected residents are urged to contact the Welfare Desk on (04) 472 3274.

The cordon on Tennyson St has been lifted, although the apartment building at 25 Tennyson St remains evacuated at the landlord's request until remediation work is completed.

The NEC Buildings on the corner of Manners and Taranaki streets has been cordoned off to protect pedestrians from glass.

Featherston St is open to traffic with small cordons around three areas affecting car parking.

Pipitea St south side footpath is closed to pedestrians.

Lukes Lane is closed while structure removed from the top of an adjacent building.

The number of earthquake damaged buildings in Wellington is set to grow.

The council's assessment team has initially identified 60 buildings with concerning structural damage and about 28 buildings where parts could fall down.