Truck break down that caused gridlock in Tauranga Direct Rd gorge cleared

The truck has broken down on State Highway 36 between Rotorua and Tauranga. Photo / Triple One Towing and Transport

A truck breakdown that caused a back up of more than 100 cars in the gorge on the Tauranga Direct Rd has been cleared.

The truck broke down on a bend in the southbound lane of State Highway 36 in the gorge that runs between Rotorua and Tauranga about 11.50am, a police spokeswoman said.

She said there were reports that more than 100 cars were backed up.

The truck has broken down on State Highway 36 between Rotorua and Tauranga. Photo / Triple One Towing and Transport

The breakdown happened about 1km south of the Te Matai Rd turnoff, she said, and people may struggle to get around it while officers work out how to get the truck out.

She said there was a chance detours would be put in place.