Auckland Harbour Bridge: Motorists urged to use public transport as strong winds forecast for Monday
Sunday, 27 September 2020
More windy weather is forecast to hit Auckland during peak hour traffic on Monday, with NZTA urging people to use public transport or avoid Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency had looked at closing lanes on the bridge if wind gusts reached 90kmh, as forecast, on Sunday.
However, the wind speed eased off about 10am so lane closure were not required.
However, wind gusts of up to 75kmh are forecast for Monday morning and of up to 80kmh on Tuesday. Waka Kotahi is urging motorists to watch out for warnings.
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“The Auckland Harbour Bridge is safe for use despite the damage done to the superstructure last Friday,” Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency manager Neil Walker said.
“However, it is in a vulnerable state until we complete a permanent repair so we want to do all we can to protect the bridge and the people using it. Safety is our absolute priority.”
The bridge operations team was ready to close some lanes after MetService forecast a wind shift and a sharp increase in wind gusts up to 90kmh on Sunday, Walker said.
“Our threshold for closing lanes was the wind gusting to 80kmh. The wind got to 74kmh before easing back just after 10am,” Walker said.
“Wind gusts up to 90kmh would have closed the bridge as we take a conservative approach to the safety of the bridge and our customers at this time.”
Earlier, Auckland Transport replaced double-decker buses with single-decker buses for weekend services over the bridge as a safety precaution.
Motorcyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles were advised to stay off the bridge and use the Western Ring Route on SH16 and SH18.
Waka Kotahi is urging motorists to avoid the bridge and use public transport if possible, due to it only operating at 75 per cent.
Waka Kotahi spokesman Brett Gliddon said the bridge would remain compromised for some weeks until permanent repair work could be done.
As a new week looms, people are advised to travel during off peak hours, use public transport and use the Western Ring Route if possible.
“Waka Kotahi urges people to change their travel patterns and use public transport.”
There was a drop of 50 per cent in the number of vehicles crossing the bridge at the start of last week.
However, as two lanes reopened the traffic volumes were only about 22 per cent less than the previous week, Gliddon said.
“We are asking motorists to avoid using the bridge, not just to reduce congestion and delays. The bridge and the clip ons are safe to use, but our ability to change the lanes configuration for peak time traffic is constrained and there is a heightened risk if there is a minor crash or breakdown on the bridge.
“Any disruption on the bridge, even for a short time, has a swift knock on effect across the motorway network and local city streets.”
A bus priority lane would be implemented on the SH1 northbound motorway during peak hour.
“Drivers are asked to be careful not to block intersections and let buses through to the motorway.”