Winter sport and roadworks are causing lengthy delays. Photo: 123RF
Wellingtonians are being warned weekend traffic will continue to be heavy as winter sport and roadworks cause lengthy delays.
Traffic through the central city and along Oriental Parade was moving at snail's pace last Saturday.
It was the first time in days the capital had seen the sun after being battered by wild weather.
"I think everyone agrees the traffic through the central city on Saturday was bad," Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said.
Sports games and works on Wakefield Street, where Wellington Water is building new wastewater pipes, were likely to blame - and the Hurricanes match at Sky Stadium may have added to early evening traffic, he said.
The Wakefield Street works are part of renewing and upgrading the city's wastewater network, and are expected to be completed in August.
A Wellington Water spokesperson said in the next two weeks it planned to open more lanes in Wakefield Street, as well as the slip lane from Oriental Parade.
Part of the road near Tory Street would be fully opened on Saturday if conditions allowed.
"As the works are on one of the busiest roads in Wellington CBD, we know this has been disruptive and frustrating to road users, businesses and residents in the area. Our contractors are working as quickly as possible to progress the works and making every effort to minimise disruptions."
In the meantime, MacLean said people should expect delays and plan ahead.
"We strongly advise motorists to start their trips earlier if they're heading across town (especially to the airport) during the middle of the day - and try to avoid Evans Bay Parade and Oriental Parade if they're heading into town from the eastern suburbs."
"Team members / parents could think about doing more car sharing to reduce the overall traffic volumes and the fight for parking at the sports venues."
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