There will be 36 hours of car chaos next weekend when the country's busiest highway closes to south-bound traffic.

A new 4.5km stretch of motorway connecting the southern and southwestern motorways at Manukau has been opened.

Auckland is gradually weaning itself off car dependency, with a slight increase in commuters opting for public transport.

North Shore commuters will face extra delays driving home from Auckland for three months from this afternoon.

One lane of the southern link onto the Southern Motorway from the port has been closed after a truck struck an overhead gantry at 3pm today.

A truck and trailer unit carrying chemicals and general goods has rolled and blocked southland lanes on State Highway 1.

Three roundabouts on one of New Zealand's newest roads are being demolished and rebuilt before the highway is even open to the public.

Auckland's latest gadgets to ease motorway congestion are proving remarkably accurate - and a hit with motorists.