Northern motorway approach lanes to Harbour Bridge reopened after flooding

Friday, 5 January 2018

Jane Matthews experienced heavy flooding north of the Auckland harbour bridge.

Auckland's northern motorway approach lanes to the Harbour Bridge have reopened after flooding on Friday morning.

The northern motorway was closed between Northcote and Onewa Rd for close to two hours, reopening at 12.10pm.

The left lane of the SH16 northwestern motorway, near the Rosebank Rd exit, was also closed but had since reopened.

Large waves rushing over Tamaki Drive near Okahu Bay Auckland

Heavy flooding at the corner of Tamaki drive and Kohimarama Road, Auckland

Commuters could expect delays and should drive to conditions, NZTA said.

12:10PM UPDATE

The Northern Motorway is now OPEN after Northcote following the earlier flooding.

Expect delays southbound from Greville and drive to the conditions. ^LC https://t.co/T6q2RLg3Os

Waterlogged motorway approaches to Auckland Harbour Bridge.

— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) January 4, 2018

Tamaki Drive in east Auckland had also taken a beating, with high tide spilling over and flooding surrounding streets.

A Metrolink bus had broken down in flood waters near Kohimarama Drive.

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said the driver and one passenger on board were 'quite happy' while they waited for the bus to be towed.

It was removed from the road by 11.15am.

Maraetai Coast Rd in Clevedon had also been closed, amidst reports the seawall had been breached at Maraetai Beach.

Heavy winds and rain were lashing the city, with more rainfall in Auckland in the past 24 hours than the last two months combined, according to NIWA.

Since 9am Thursday, 41mm of rain fell in the city - trumping the last two month's combined total of 38mm.

Gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour were recorded on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, according to Metservice.