A two car collision on State Highway 1 closed the Mount Victoria tunnel on Wednesday afternoon, creating significant delays for Wellington commuters, including those travelling to and from Porirua and the Hutt Valley. Police said they were called to the scene at about 2.30 pm.
One person received minor injuries and was treated by ambulance staff at the tunnel entrance. Traffic backed up quickly in both directions as emergency crews worked to make the area safe.
Police said efforts to clear the vehicles began immediately, but motorists should expect ongoing delays as congestion eases across surrounding routes.
The closure affected peak hour traffic flows between the eastern suburbs and the central city, with some drivers reporting being diverted through alternative routes around the basin.
Police said updates would be provided as the road reopened and advised travellers to plan for additional travel time.