Motorists are being told that vehicle recovery will take "some time" and lanes will therefore remain blocked.
UPDATE 9:25AM Vehicle recovery will take some time this morning with lanes likely to remain blocked. #Akltraffic southbound is heavily congested from Princes St, with queues growing. Please DELAY YOUR JOURNEY, or use SH20 for journeys south. ^TPhttps://t.co/qnnVJQVHuU
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 18, 2021
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency issued an alert online just after 9am.
"Delay your journey or consider using SH20 for journeys south or expect long delays through the area."
Just before 9.30am, live traffic maps on Google showed the gridlock was now past Ōtāhuhu.
Waka Kotahi NZTA said the traffic had become heavily congested from Princes St - with queues growing.
Meanwhile, west of the city, the Rosebank Rd off-ramp on the north-western motorway remains closed just before 10am.
Those in the area are told to use the Great North Rd or Te Atatū Rd off-ramps as alternative routes.
The Rosebank Rd off-ramp is currently closed to allow for emergency repairs to a damaged street light nearby.
UPDATE 9:50AM This off-ramp remains closed currently as contractors work to make the area safe. Please continue to use Gt North Rd or Te Atatu Rd northbound off-ramps as alternative routes. ^TPhttps://t.co/xQHKJTLti2
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) May 18, 2021