Gridlock in Wellington: Four-Vehicle Crash Blocks SH1 at Terrace Tunnel

WELLINGTON, NZ — A multi-vehicle pile-up inside the Terrace Tunnel brought afternoon commuter traffic to a grinding halt on Friday, July 10, 2026 forcing the closure of a critical stretch of State Highway 1.

Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a four-vehicle collision deep within the tunnel structure. The incident triggered immediate, widespread gridlock throughout the Wellington central business district.

The crash occurred inside the southbound lane of the tunnel. Due to the positioning of the vehicles and the immediate safety hazard presented within the confined space, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and police made the decision to close the tunnel in both directions.

Remarkably, despite the number of vehicles involved and the heavy impact, police confirmed that no injuries were reported at the scene.

With the primary highway artery severed, traffic quickly backed up for kilometers. Frustrated motorists already inside the tunnel approach were forced to slowly reverse out or make tight U-turns under the guidance of emergency crews to escape the standstill.

To keep traffic moving, NZTA quickly implemented local detours, though city arterials still crawled under the unexpected volume. Southbound traffic was redirected to use the Terrace Offramp, traveling onto The Terrace, Ghuznee Street, Victoria Street, and Vivian Street to rejoin the network. Meanwhile, northbound vehicles were guided via Willis Street, Ghuznee Street, The Terrace, and Everton Terrace to access the Clifton Onramp.

Towing services and contractors worked alongside police to clear the damaged vehicles from the lanes. Following a brief 45-minute closure to ensure the roadway was safe and free of debris, the Terrace Tunnel was fully reopened to all traffic.

While the lanes are open, authorities have warned that residual delays remain significant as the massive backlog of queued vehicles slowly filters through the CBD. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time for the remainder of the afternoon.