Crashes, cows and rush-hour traffic congesting Auckland roads and motorways

Crashes, cows and rush-hour traffic are affecting the trek home for motorists on Auckland's motorways and roads this evening.

A cow was on the loose near McPike Rd in Waimauku and it created some congestion in the area.

Meanwhile, a crash that blocked lanes just after the Auckland Harbour Bridge heading northbound has been cleared but traffic is still heavy between Onewa Rd and Upper Harbour Highway.

Citybound traffic is heavy at Northcote Rd down to the Harbour Bridge.

Congestion is heavy on the Southern Motorway between Newmarket and Penrose Rd due to an earlier crash heading southbound.

Heading towards the city there is a heavy patch between Mt Wellington and Ellerslie due to an earlier crash near the Ellerslie/Panmure off-ramp which has been cleared.

Westbound motorists on the Northwestern Motorway are creating heavy traffic between Rosebank Rd and Te Atatu Rd - citybound traffic is free-flowing.

On the Southwestern Motorway heading northbound, traffic is heavy but easing between Walmsley Rd and Neilson St.