KEY POINTS:
Motorists trying to escape Auckland City yesterday endured frustrating waits as traffic backed up more than 8km over the harbour bridge.
The combination of beachgoers making the most of yesterday's scorching temperatures by heading to North Shore beaches and road enthusiasts checking out a new toll road further north brought traffic to a standstill.
At some stages of the afternoon cars crawled from as far back as Spaghetti Junction until the Onewa Rd off- and on-ramps.
That stretch of road had also been closed overnight for roadworks and the three lanes were opened one by one during the morning.
More than 8000 people turned out to take a look at a 7.5km toll road between Orewa and Puhoi before it opens to motorists next year.
People were invited to cycle, walk or take a bus tour of tunnels on the northern gateway extension route. The road will allow state highway traffic to bypass Orewa, easing traffic congestion in the town.
Motorists will have the option of using the free, alternative route along the existing State Highway One via Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast Highway.
Amanda Wilson, 21, was stuck in traffic from Khyber Pass Rd from about 1pm while heading home to Birkenhead after spending the night in Pukekohe.
The usual 10-minute trip over the bridge took about 30 minutes.
"I just crawled. It took ages. It was bumper to bumper. It was such a hot, sunny day and everyone was either coming back from their weekend away or probably trying to get to the beach.
"I had to sing to the radio to keep myself occupied."
The road was also closed on Saturday, particularly annoying one motorist heading home to the North Shore after watching football star David Beckham's LA Galaxy team play an Oceania XI at Mt Smart stadium.
"It would be interesting to find out who on earth decided to close the Northern Motorway northbound after Onewa Rd on Saturday night after a 'major' sporting event," he wrote.
"It took us more than 2 hours to get home and we were 'lucky' enough to take a bus to ease up on traffic. What a joke. While I realise that the work is important, why last night?
"Heads should roll for that. What an absolute disgrace. I can only look forward to what rubbish they have planned for [the Rugby World Cup in] 2011."
