Traffic mayhem: Truck on fire on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway

The truck on fire on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway. Photo / Supplied

A truck fire on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway near the Hillsborough off-ramp this afternoon closed all northbound lanes and continues to cause delays for Friday evening commuters.

The section of the motorway is down to two lanes after the fire damaged parts of the road. NZTA said the northbound lanes between Hillsborough Rd off-ramp and Hillsborough on-ramp would be closed overnight from 10pm so emergency crews could repair the road.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible and to be prepared for delays.

SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY UPDATE: 7:45PM
2 lanes are now OPEN past the scene following a truck fire this afternoon. To repair road damage #SH20 will be closed (northbound) between Hillsborough Rd off-ramp & Hillsborough Rd on-ramp from 10pm TONIGHT. More: https://t.co/ADMJJoJl9H. ^MF pic.twitter.com/azA9AFokPn

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

The truck appears to have caught fire just after the exit to the Hillsborough off-ramp on the Southwestern Motorway.

Earlier, NZTA tweeted: "FENZ have extinguished the fire and heavy haulage are now on-site. We hope to have the truck cleared as quickly as possible so we can open all lanes on the Motorway again soon."

NZTA said drivers should consider exiting at Hillsborough and re-entering the motorway at Dominion Rd.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE: Due to a large truck fire and damage to the road surface a section of #SH20 will be CLOSED for all northbound motorists between Hillsborough Rd off-ramp and Hillsborough Rd on-ramp from 10PM tonight. Plan ahead for a short detour: https://t.co/dmevmOxPb4. ^MF pic.twitter.com/vK4WsGrpQR

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

SH1 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - FIRE - 6PM
Clean up is in progress at the scene of the truck fire. Traffic remains heavy between Manukau & Hillsborough heading northbound. Consider an #AltRoute or #DelayTravel. We are doing our best to open more lanes as soon as it is safe to do so. ^MF pic.twitter.com/HBaFS6KVZX

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

While emergency services worked to clear the area, traffic backed up in both directions.

SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY – TRUCK FIRE – 4:50PM
Heavy haulage has now towed the truck CLEAR of live lanes. Our crews are on-site and are working to clean and assess the road damage. We hope to have two northbound lanes open shortly. Avoid the area if possible. #FridayTraffic. ^MF pic.twitter.com/WWREaViN8F

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

FENZ have extinguished the fire and heavy haulage are now on-site. We hope to have the truck cleared as quickly as possible so we can open all lanes on the Motorway again soon. Avoid the area if possible or expect delays. ^MF https://t.co/iT7LIWcvr5

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

For people heading north on the motorway, congestion was backed up from Rainbows End in Manukau - a queue of more than 12km.

The truck fire near Hillsborough. Photo / Alok Verma

Drivers heading south were also experiencing a slow slog as they neared Mt Roskill on SH20.

SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - FIRE - 3:30PM
All northbound lanes near the Hillsborough off-ramp are BLOCKED, due to a truck fire. Avoid the area if possible or be prepared for delays. Consider exiting at Hillsborough and re-entering the Mwy at Dominion Rd. #AklTraffic. ^MF pic.twitter.com/fpLtWRMcRC

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 30, 2020

More to come