UPDATED 9.30am: Motorists stuck in traffic between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa after a crash this morning have been told the congestion should ease in about 10 minutes.
A NZTA spokeswoman said the backed up traffic is expected to getting flowing back to normal in about 10 minutes, once another lane can be opened at the scene.
A reader caught in the traffic called the Bay of Plenty Times to say she was still in gridlock beyond Papamoa's Domain Rd. She said when traffic moved, it did so very, very slowly.
8.59am: Police have warned of delays for traffic travelling between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa this morning, following a three-car head-on collision on State Highway 2.
Traffic is backed up as far at Domain Rd, Papamoa, and Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui after the crash near Bruce Rd.
Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said officers at the scene were working to clear two lanes on the highway to allow traffic through.
''There will be some delays. If some of the traffic would like to use Girven Rd and Papamoa Beach Rd, that would ease congestion. But we expect traffic to be flowing in both directions shortly.''
Mr Campion said the head-on collision involved three cars and ambulance staff were treating people for moderate injuries.
The crash happened at 8.33am, between the Bruce Rd and new Sandhurst Drive offramp.
EARLIER: Police are responding to a State Highway 2 crash nar BayPark Stadium, believed to be causing a major traffic congestion this morning.
Police, ambulance and firefighters are all responding to the crash, where at least one person is believed to be injured.
Motorists are advised to steer clear of the Te Maunga, SH2 area if possible as emergency services work to clear the scene.