Holiday traffic crawling for a few more days

Thursday, 28 December 2017

Northbound Auckland region drivers should brace for more traffic queue misery on Thursday.

Drivers heading north from Auckland faced a slow trip on Thursday and Friday is expected to be almost as bad.

The New Zealand Transport Agency's hotspot predictor shows traffic between Puhoi and Wellsford would be 'heaviest' between 11am and 5pm on Friday.

So thinking of holding off the trip to holiday grounds till the weekend? Think again.

Saturday was expected to be worse; traffic through the same area was predicted to be clogged from 10.30am until 6pm.

Motorists were urged to consider using SH16 instead if heading north. Travelling after 6pm would also help avoid jams.

Thursday was the second day in a row motorists faced significant disruption on Auckland region's roads.

On Wednesday there was heavy congestion on northern and southern routes out of Auckland as people fled New Zealand's largest city for the holidays.

Holiday traffic is now heavy northbound on SH1 thru Puhoi, Warkworth & Wellsford areas. Please consider using SH16 as a faster, alternative route. ^LC pic.twitter.com/rNMVaz4Tk4

— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) December 27, 2017

Things got even worse on Wednesday evening, after a person climbed a sign gantry and forced a one-hour closure of Auckland Harbour Bridge, snarling traffic in both directions for several kilometres.

The bridge reopened at 6.10pm and the man was brought down to safety by fire crews.

A police spokeswoman said on Thursday police were not intending to charge the man.

Other clogged hotspots around the country include SH2 between Tauranga and Katikati, the Kapiti Coast road, and SH1 south of Kaikoura.

Travellers should go to NZTA's 'holiday hotspots' page to check traffic conditions.

NZTA director of safety and environment Harry Wilson urged drivers to keep their cool during traffic jams to prevent road rage-fuelled accidents.

'Holiday driving can be frustrating with busy roads, stifling heat and restless kids in the car,' he said.

'So please, be courteous and patient while on the roads. Don't get provoked by other drivers' aggressive behaviour, and wait to overtake until you get to a passing lane or can see enough clear road ahead of you to do it safely.'