Traffic flowing after 10 car pile-up on Auckland motorway

SH20 traffic backed heavy following earlier incident at Walmsley Rd exit southbound. Photo / Michael Craig

Traffic is now moving freely after a 10 car pile-up on an Auckland motorway led to kilometres of traffic queues and suburban streets to a standstill.

People heading to the airport this morning were warned to allow extra time to catch their flights because of a multi-vehicle smash on the southwestern motorway just past the Mangere Bridge.

Fire Service northern communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said up to 10 vehicles were involved in the crash just before 7am on the south-bound stretch of motorway before the Walmsley Rd off-ramp.

Fire, police and ambulance were at the scene, which quickly turned into a traffic nightmare on the vital link to the airport.

While the damaged vehicles were moved off the motorway, traffic remained heavy for the next few hours.

At one stage it was banked up to Maioro St at the start of the motorway and spilled onto major arterial suburban streets.

Labour's Mt Roskill MP Michael Wood tweeted the bus he was in was stuck in traffic on Hillsborough Rd. He said this was a perfect example why the airport lightrail was needed.

Motorists are being warned to allow extra time to get to the airport. Photo / Michael Craig

299 bus stuck halfway down Hillsborough rd in overflow from SH20 snafu. The reasons 4 action on light rail now are here for anyone with eyes pic.twitter.com/anmzs1k9bE

— Michael Wood (@michaelwoodnz) March 26, 2017

At least one lane was blocked by the crash with roads slippery from surface flooding.

Lane blocked at Walmsley Road due to a multiple car crash on SH20 towards Auckland Airport. Please allow extra time for your journey.

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) March 26, 2017

A crash is blocking the right lane southbound on the Sth Wstn Mwy at the Walmsley R off-ramp. Expect delays and take extra care ^LC pic.twitter.com/yv9YpNSViy

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 26, 2017

Another crash on the northwestern motorway also caused delays for traffic on Royal Rd at the top of east-bound on-ramp, as did one on the northern motorway, with the right lane blocked before Greville Rd.

A crash is blocking the right lane citybound on the Nthn Mwy before Greville Rd. Expect delays heading south. #AklTraffic ^LC

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 26, 2017

Although both crashes were no longer blocking the motorways, authorities warned motorists to expect delays.

Today was proving particularly trying for motorists travelling across the city as they encountered heavier-than-usual traffic.

Just dropped a kid at school. Had to drive past but not on SH16. Don’t just avoid the motorway, avoid the whole area. Roads are chaos.

— paulbrislen (@paulbrislen) March 26, 2017