Holidaymakers line up in a gridlock heading out of Auckland ahead of Easter weekend. Video / Supplied
A section of Auckland’s Southern Motorway that was closed after a serious crash that critically injured one has fully re-opened, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency says.
“SH1 Manurewa all lanes are open following the serious crash. Thank you for your patience”, the agency tweeted at 4.40pm.
FINAL UPDATE 4:40PM SH1 Manurewa all lanes are OPEN following the serious crash. Thank you for your patience. ^SG https://t.co/i3M67rgpFy
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 7, 2023
The southbound lanes had been closed between Redbout Rd, in Manukau, and Takanini after a crash between a motorcycle and vehicle near Manurewa’s Hill Rd off-ramp about 2pm, making for a slow trip south for affected motorists.
Earlier, travellers heading south on the Waikato Expressway were warned by the AA of a more than two-hour delay southbound between the Cambridge and Karapiro exits - but that had since eased to 16 minutes as of 4.30pm, according to Google’s Journey Planner.
However, travel north of out the city remains at a crawl for some, with heavy congestion in the northbound lanes of State Highway 1 (SH1) near the Johnstones Hill tunnels late this afternoon.
Roadworks have been continuing to cause major traffic snarls for those heading north near Puhoi.
A motorist travelling south about 4pm snapped long queues in the northbound lanes just before the Johnstones Hill tunnels.
According to Google Maps, the 26-kilometre journey north on SH1 from the Orewa on-ramp to Puhoi was taking 53 minutes as of 4.30pm, about twice as long as when traffic is free-flowing.
Heavy traffic in the northbound lanes of State Highway 1 near the Johnstones Hill tunnels north of Auckland late in the afternoon of Good Friday.
Yesterday, Waka Kotahi warned people planning to head north to allow extra time for journeys via SH1 due to roadworks.
“A temporary northbound lane layout is in place as work continues on the future new motorway section,” a spokesperson said.
“Consider using SH16 as an alternative for travel north of Wellsford.”
Today, traffic is backed up for kilometres, with travellers posting photographs to social media.
Some complained about the roadworks, but others pointed out there were alternative routes and the disruption was well-known before the weekend.
Others bragged about leaving the city in the wee hours to avoid traffic snags.
“4am — are we mad? No — in a couple of hours it will be a dog fight and we’ll be having breakfast somewhere in Northland,” one woman wrote, sharing a video of a clear run north.
Traffic moving slowly north of Auckland. Photo / Waka Kotahi
Traffic is also starting to build heading south of Auckland City.
Police and other road safety partners are encouraging everyone to put “safety first” on the roads this Easter.
Superintendent Steve Greally said police would be out in force during Easter to deter risky driver behaviour that can lead to death or serious injury on our roads.
“We want you to get to your destination safely, which is why police focus on the four main causes of death and injury on our roads — restraints, impairment, distractions and speed,” he said.
“Each and every driver can do four really easy things, each and every time they get behind the wheel — wear a seatbelt, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, remove distractions and slow down.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility — we can all play a part to ensure that no one is harmed on our roads.”
Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s Road to Zero director Bryan Sherritt urged people to “not accept that death and serious injury is the price to pay for using our roads”.
“Deaths and serious injuries on our roads are not inevitable, and everyone has a role to play to reduce serious crashes and save lives,” Sherritt said.
“Adding safety infrastructure to our roads, getting Kiwis into safer cars, having more police on the road and making sure we have safe speeds on our key roads are all vital parts in creating a transport system that helps people get around safely rather than landing people in hospital.
“We’re committed to improving all parts of the system.
“But drivers and road users can make simple, easy decisions when they are driving, to do their part to keep themselves and other people on the roads safe every day of the week.”
Waka Kotahi director of land transport Kane Patena recommended people plan ahead for a safe journey, especially in areas affected by recent severe weather.
“Our teams have put in a huge effort over the past six weeks to repair flood and slip damage and re-open most highways in Northland, the Coromandel, Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay,” he said.
“We’re thrilled that these roads are ready for people to travel to and from holiday destinations, and to visit friends and family.
“There are still many damaged sites with restrictions in place on several routes, and we’re urging people to allow plenty of time for their journeys, share the driving to avoid fatigue and be patient when traffic is heavy and there are delays.
“Waka Kotahi has updated our online holiday journey planner, including an interactive traffic prediction map that shows when we expect traffic to be heavy based on travel patterns from previous years.”
SH35 between Te Puia Springs and Tokomaru Bay will be closed overnight from 6pm today based on weather warnings.
MetService has upgraded its warnings for Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti and there’s a continued risk of rising river levels, surface flooding and slips.
Waka Kotahi said they made the decision to close the road and will reassess the closure at first light tomorrow once crews have travelled it.
Crews will continue to monitor the road this afternoon.
As the heavy rain continues, Waka Kotahi will be continuing to closely monitor all other parts of the network in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
