Auckland State Highway 20 now open following slip and fallen tree forced closure

Auckland’s State Highway 20 (SH20) has now reopened after a large fallen tree and slip this morning closed three northbound lanes and caused large traffic delays.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said all lanes between the Queenstown Rd off-ramp and the Queenstown Rd bridge have now been cleared and are open.

“The right lane of the Queenstown Road off-ramp will remain closed until further notice,” a spokesperson said.

“Continue to expect delays between Mangere Bridge and Onehunga as congestion eases.”

Overnight, a tree came down between the Neilson St offramp and Hillsborough Rd onramp.

The northbound lanes were blocked and detours were in place after a large slip near the Queenstown Rd offramp.

A large slip has blocked the northbound lanes of SH20 between the Neilson St offramp and Hillsborough Rd onramp. Photo / Alex Burton

A police spokesperson said several concerned motorists called them around 1am to report the tree blocking the road.

“Police provided traffic management until road closures could be put in place,” the spokesperson said.

FINAL UPDATE 3PM
SH20 has FULLY RE-OPENED following a slip near the northbound Neilson St off-ramp. COntinue to expect delays between Mangere Bridge and Onehunga as congestion eases. https://t.co/owZYHua9BL

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) June 9, 2024

Further down the highway, a car crashed into an NZTA vehicle trying to prevent cars from driving on the blocked road.

The crash blocked the Neilson St offramp at 7.30am, and it was reopened at 8am.

No staff or contractors were injured in the crash, a NZTA spokesperson confirmed.

The crash was cleared by 8am, but northbound lanes on SH20 remain closed while the slip and tree are removed.

Auckland Transport said buses 38 and 309 have returned to scheduled routes after they were delayed following the incident.

UPDATE 3:10PM
SH20 northbound has been cleared between Neilson Street and Hillsborough Road. Buses 38 and 309 have returned to scheduled routes. https://t.co/oA0bM9cOFd pic.twitter.com/R1l8MnXkuo

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) June 9, 2024