Auckland Harbour Bridge is gridlocked after an accident on the southbound lane as the school holidays begin. Photo / NZTA
Auckland Harbour Bridge is gridlocked after an accident on the southbound lane as the school holidays begin. Photo / NZTA
All lanes have now reopened following a serious crash on Auckland Harbour Bridge this afternoon which has caused massive congestion, with large tailbacks stretching kilometres in both directions.
Thousands have been caught in the jam as the school holiday exodus begins from the city.
Southbound traffic heading across the bridge towards the city on the Northern Motorway stretched back to Wairau Valley.
Northbound traffic was backed up to Ellerslie – meaning a 22km stretch of State Highway 1 was heavily congested.
Police said a person was critically injured after a collision between a truck and motorbike heading south over the bridge at about 1.40pm
“One person has been transported to hospital in a critical condition. Two southbound lanes are closed and motorists are being advised to expect delays or to postpone travel.”
The Serious Crash Unit had been notified.
FINAL UPDATE - 3:05PM All lanes are now OPEN on the Harbour Bridge. Allow extra time for delays in the area to ease. ^HJ https://t.co/NzsR61m34W
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 12, 2024
Three lanes on the city-bound side were blocked, but have now reopened.
A northbound lane that was previously closed has also reopened.
A Herald reader emailed at 4.14pm to say “traffic is flowing freely across the bridge”.
The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi urged motorists to pass with care and expect delays.
“People are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.
A truck breakdown then caused a northbound lane to close as rush hour approached.
Motorists were asked to merge with care when passing the broken down truck and expect delays.
NZTA says the breakdown has now been cleared.
SH1 AKL HBR BRIDGE - 3:40PM A breakdown is blocking the left northbound lane (lane 2 of 4) on the Harbour Bridge. Merge with care to pass and expect delays. ^HJ pic.twitter.com/JccaXIfiQU
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) April 12, 2024
Red lines show where traffic is heavy across Auckland as of 2.40pm. Photo / Google.
Meanwhile, police responded to a collision between a vehicle and a bike on the Te Atatū off-ramp about 12.10pm.
One person was taken to hospital in a moderate condition.
