Major Southern Motorway off-ramp reopens after forced closure due to gas leak at address on Manurewa’s Hill Rd

A major motorway off-ramp in South Auckland has reopened after it was earlier shut due to a gas leak.

A police spokesperson earlier said they were assisting Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) crews with the incident on Hill Rd, Manurewa, which was reported shortly before 3pm.

At 4.15pm, NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said the southbound Hill Rd off-ramp had closed due to “emergency gas works”.

“Use an alternative route and expect delays,” the post to X read.

The off-ramp reopened about 6pm, with NZTA saying “emergency gas works in the area are complete”.

UPDATE - 4:15PM#SH1 Hill Rd off-ramp, southbound is now CLOSED. This is due to emergency gas works in the Hill Rd area. Use an alternative route and expect delays ^JF https://t.co/464OKh7LNY

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) June 13, 2024

Rush-hour traffic heading south had backed up from Hill Rd to Newmarket,

Shortly after 5pm the NZTA Journey Planner said it would take an hour and 34 minutes from the city to Bombay on SH1, an hour longer than it would take if it were free-flowing.

There are major traffic delays in Manurewa and on Auckland's Southern Motorway this afternoon due to a gas leak at a home on Hill Road. Photo / Google

“Diversions in place are causing traffic to back up prior to the Southern Motorway (SH1) off-ramp to Hill Rd,” police said earlier.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area and find an alternative route.