17 November 2016 – 7am

News release

Update for Wellington – Thursday morning update

Map showing the new cordon area

The Wellington City Council has issued the following update on earthquake response issues for Thursday 7am.

The cordon surrounding 61 Molesworth Street has now been reduced, following advice from specialist engineers. The new cordon is expected to be fully in place by 8am.

Buildings nearby to 61 Molesworth Street will remain closed. Yesterday a decision was reached to deconstruct the building, with planning underway for how best to achieve this.

Hawkestone Street has now been re-opened to traffic at 7.00am. Pedestrians can walk on the northern side of the street (the same side as the ACC building).

Residences on Collina Avenue, behind 61 Molesworth, 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 Street has been lifted, although the apartment building at 25 Tennyson Street remains evacuated at the landlord’s request until remediation work is completed.

Other central city points of interest include:

• Featherston Street - open to traffic with small cordons around three areas affecting car parking

• Pipitea Street south side footpath closed to pedestrians – loose façade.

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

• A limited number of Harbour Quays buildings have sustained some damage; a situation being managed by CentrePort.

• NEC Buildings on the corner of Manners and Taranaki footpath has been cordoned to protect pedestrians from glass.

Greater Wellington Regional Council’s public transport website Metlink has advised that the Kapiti Line is now cleared and trains have been okayed to run to Waikanae, and normal peak services have resumed.

Weather is expected to deteriorate later today, with significant rainfall forecast for the afternoon accompanied by gale-force southerly winds to affect Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

ends

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