SkyCity convention centre fire: Auckland commuters, here's what you need to know
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Auckland commuters face a second day of delays and congestion due to road closures in the city centre.
The fire at the SkyCity convention centre rages on, about 27 hours after it first sparked up on Tuesday.
More than 100 firefighters were battling the flames on Wednesday afternoon. Some road closures are still in place in the city centre and these will continue into Thursday.
As a result, Auckland Transport have warned motorists and people taking public transport to expect diversions and significant delays.
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The road closures are: Wellesley St (west from Victoria to Nelson and between Nelson & Hobson), Nelson St (between Cook & Victoria) and Hobson St (between Victoria & Wellesley).
Auckland Transport (AT) has advised people to avoid these city centre areas. People have also been asked not to stop and take photographs of the fire.
AT also advised anyone travelling home from the city centre to avoid peak hour traffic, leave extra time and check the Auckland Transport website, Facebook or Twitter for updates.
AT spokesperson John Nottage says, 'If you are able to time your travel to avoid peak hour traffic, by leaving earlier or later than usual, we advise you to do so.
'Train services are not affected by traffic diversions, so if you have the option to home by train this would also be a good way to avoid delays.'
On Tuesday, Nottage said about 20 bus routes were affected by road closures and bus users had faced 'pretty major delays'.
The city bus services that are still affected by detours on Wednesday afternoon are: NX2, 101, 22A,22N, 22R, 221X, 223X, 24B, 24R, 24W, 243X, and 248X bus.
Detours were also required for 82, 802, 923, and 924, as well as 75 bus services.
Further detours were required for 18, 151X, 171X, 172X, 195X, and 209 bus services, as well as 105 and 106 services.
Detours for 125X, 132, 132X, 133, 133X, and 134 bus services, as well as 110 and 129 are in place.
A detour is required for OuterLink bus services.
Auckland Transport's website lists all the routes affected, as well as bus stop closures and detour information.