Auckland Motorway reopens after two major crashes

A truck crash has forced the closure of Auckland's Northern Motorwayduring rush hour. Photo / NZTA

A motorway heading into Auckland city has been reopened after a truck ploughed through a median barrier during rush hour.

Two major smashes on Auckland motorways had left lanes blocked and rush hour traffic in chaos.

Both crash sites have been cleared but traffic is still down to a crawl on the Northern Motorway between Dairy Flat and Oteha Valley Rd after a truck ploughed through the centre barrier just before the Oteha Valley Rd ramp.

The large lorry was left straddling the concrete barrier.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said many lanes in both directions were left blocked and closed the motorway just before 9am.

It was reopened around 9.30am after the smashed truck was cleared from the road.

Northern Mwy: Southbound lanes NOW CLOSED at Oteha Valley Rd for #crash vehicle recovery. Reenter at Oteha Valley onramp. #DELAYS ^TP pic.twitter.com/1PdIiq2iV4

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 17, 2017

Traffic heading into Auckland city this morning were being advised to go off at the Oteha Valley Rd off ramp and get back on the motorway via the on ramp.

Northern Mwy: #Crash blocking lanes citybound just prior to Oteha Valley Rd onramp. Avoid route if possible. #ExpectDelays ^TP pic.twitter.com/MrjmHYTYNU

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 17, 2017

A second smash also caused major traffic problems on the Southern Motorway at Bombay.

Two out of three lanes were blocked southbound on the Bombay Hills just before the SH2 exit.

UPDATE: #Crash is blocking 2 of 3 lanes southbound. Avoid area if possible or #ExpectDelays ^TP
https://t.co/n6r4VVvDKT

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 17, 2017

The NZTA earlier warned motorists to expect major delays or keep clear of the area.

But the crash had since been cleared and traffic was flowing well over the Bombay Hills.