Traffic delays cleared up after Auckland, Wellington crashes

Traffic on Auckland Harbour Bridge. PHOTO/Ross Setford

Auckland and Wellington were the worst regions hit with traffic delays after crashes hampered holiday-makers' getaways.

A crash on the Auckland Harbour Bridge partially blocked the right lane on the northbound. Motorists were backed up to Wellington St.

Remember to check our HOTSPOTS MAP for areas/dates/times where congestion is expected this long weekend: https://t.co/YZoZ8DmPKy ^TP pic.twitter.com/H5cDuKPdbB

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 22, 2016

A person crossing the Harbour Bridge told the Herald he had seen multiple crashes on SH1 near the bridge, and in both directions. One of these was a three-vehicle crash in Mt Wellington around 11.30am northbound on the southern motorway. Two lanes were blocked but were cleared within an hour.

"One of them likely have caused injury of a motorcycle driver, police and ambulance are at scene, providing emergency treatment."

At 4.20pm a two car collision, with one crashing into a bank, on Piha Rd in Auckland delayed traffic until both cars were towed away an hour later.

While Auckland holiday traffic has now eased NZTA are predicting heavy delays around Eden Park as the All Blacks play the Wallabies from 7.35pm tonight.

Be Prepared: Heavy traffic likely around Eden Park tonight as @AllBlacks play @qantaswallabies 7.35pm. #ExpectDelays #GoBlack ^TP

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 22, 2016

Wellington had their share of the long-weekend chaos when a vehicle hit the centre barrier around 1pm today reducing SH1 northbound motorists down to a single lane. Police, Fire and the Wellington Free Ambulance attended with the person receiving minor injuries. The traffic backed up to the Tawa interchange.

The crash was cleared by 2pm but congestion took some time to ease.

Traffic appears have cleared up with fixed cameras showing free-flowing traffic in much of Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

However, NZTA Wellington is keeping travellers updated on increasing holiday traffic congestion via its Twitter account.

A smooth day on our WGTN roads, other than some predicted minor congestion in our hotspot areas. #DriveSafe this long wknd. ^EL pic.twitter.com/0MdLu5R5le

— Waka Kotahi Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) October 22, 2016

A crash which seriously injured one person and closed part of State Highway 2 north of Masterton has now been cleared.

"The crash is now clear and the road is fully open. Please continue to #DriveSafe", NZTA Wellington tweeted.