Traffic is at a standstill on Victoria St after the Auckland Harbour Bridge closed lanes. Photo / Dean Purcell
Auckland city is at a standstill tonight after an afternoon of traffic chaos.
One commuter travelling from Pukekohe into the CBD said it took him two and a half hours to get into the his destination in the CBD.
He told the Herald it took him "an hour and 45 minutes just to get down to Nelson Street".
This comes after a southbound truck carrying a shipping container was blown sideways this morning by a wind gust of up to 127km/h.
NZTA said Auckland motorists will face delays for "several days and potentially up to several weeks" after damage to the Auckland Harbour Bridge following today's truck crash.
"The truck striking the bridge has damaged the superstructure, with a steel upright sheared off," says Waka Kotahi Senior Journey Manager, Neil Walker.
"Our first assessment of the structural damage is that a permanent fix will be a long term process and the four lanes across the centre span of the bridge will remain closed to traffic for at least several days and potentially weeks."
"Congestion on the road network is inevitable as we assess the damage and the necessary repairs. Waka Kotahi recommends customers consider working from home and if they do need to travel into and out of the CBD they consider alternative travel options, such as taking public transport, including the Northern Busway which is not affected."
NZTA said: "If you do need to travel motorists are urged to use the Western Ring Route (SH20, SH16 and SH18) around the harbour.
The Western Ring Route has been planned and constructed to be used as an alternative to the Harbour Bridge, especially for trucks and heavy vehicles".
On average, more than 170,000 vehicles cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge on weekdays, with the configuration of the eight lanes changed four times a day to adjust to peak time traffic flows. With the four centre span lanes closed and only the clips ons open, there will be just two lanes in each direction.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.