EASTER TRAFFIC: CHAOS ON SH1 AS KILOMETRES-LONG QUEUES FORM

Motorists heading south of Auckland on State Highway 1 are facing heavy traffic as the long weekend gets underway. 

Delays were being experienced on SH1 southbound from Auckland between Manukau and Ramarama and northbound between Silverdale and Warkworth, said NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Traffic is also heavy around Wellsford, north of Auckland.

SH1 through the Brynderwyn Hills has been temporarily reopened for the Easter holiday period, closing again next week.

In Waikato, a Newshub reporter said there was also a 4km queue on the Waikato Expressway at Taupiri, north of Hamilton.

There are also delays on SH1 heading south from Hamilton to Tīrau.

On SH2, vehicles are crawling near Maramarua.

Just north of Tokoroa, a stretch of SH1 is under construction, causing some delays.

The southbound off-ramp at Beaver Rd has been closed "due to a lighting issue", with alternative exits at Bombay or Nikau Rd, NZTA said.

To the south, traffic heading out of Wellington is building in Ōtaki.

NZTA reminded motorists to expect delays throughout the weekend. 

"When you're out on the roads this Easter, drive to the speed limit, don't drink and drive, make sure you're rested, and plan ahead," said Fabian Marsh, the agency's road safety manager. 

"We want you to get to your friends and whānau safely."  

In terms of flights, Air New Zealand said nearly 230,000 people will travel with the airline this weekend.

Passengers have been urged to get to the airport earlier than usual to get through longer-than-normal security lines.

2024-03-28T23:51:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd