Traffic chaos in central Auckland

A suspected gas leak near the Viaduct and a power cut which affected central city traffic lights caused peak-hour traffic chaos in Auckland yesterday.

The unrelated incidents hit motorists trying to leave the city after work and those trying to get into the CBD, including one driver who reported taking 40 minutes to crawl 40 metres along Albert St.

Police cordoned off Quay St around 4pm after reports of a gas leak in the old Union building at the Viaduct end of the waterfront stretch of road.

Firefighters were called but the smell dissipated and a gas company was investigating, a Fire Service spokesman said.

A short time later, a power fault shut down traffic lights at 14 intersections from Hobson St to Freemans Bay and caused power cuts in the CBD, Ponsonby, Freemans Bay and St Marys Bay.

Motorists also reported taking an hour to drive between Devonport and Takapuna, and 45 minutes to move along Albert St between the Wellesley St and Wyndham St intersections.

Inspector Pieter Roozendaal of the police Northern Communications Centre said the incidents had caused major congestion in the city and the delays had stretched to outlying areas, including the North Shore.

No accidents had been reported and the traffic build-up had started to clear by 7.30pm.