Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes. Video \ NZME
A person is dead in an early morning crash on Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway.
Auckland commuters have faced a chaotic morning after two motorways leading into the central city have been disrupted by crashes.
Police confirmed one person had died following a single vehicle crash on SH20 reported just before 5am, on northbound lanes near Onehunga.
The vehicle’s sole occupant died at the scene.
The Southwestern Motorway has just reopened after all lanes heading into the city were closed for three hours between Neilson St in Onehunga and Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough.
SH1 traffic building at Northcote, Auckland, after a truck crash just before the harbour bridge.
Traffic is snarled along SH20 after a single vehicle forced the closure of all city-bound lanes. Photo / NZTA.
The single-vehicle crash that closed the Southwestern Motorway happened between the Onehunga Harbour Rd on-ramp and the Queenstown Rd off-ramp around 5am.
“Delay your journey, avoid this route or expect long delays in surrounding areas,” NZTA said.
A police spokesperson said earlier closures of northbound lanes had now lifted, and motorists were advised to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear.
“We appreciate motorists’ understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work.
”The Serious Crash Unit examined the scene this morning, and an investigation is under way into this morning’s crash on behalf of the Coroner."
SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY - 6:05AM Due to a serious crash all northbound lanes on #SH20 between Neilson St & Hillsborough Rd are CLOSED and likely to remain closed for some time this morning. Delay your journey, avoid this route or expect long delays in surrounding areas. ^TP pic.twitter.com/dLKYnVN2L6
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) May 5, 2025
Police also urged motorists to avoid the area and expect delays.
Meanwhile, a crash blocked two right southbound lanes between Onewa Rd and the harbour bridge on the North Shore.
The lanes were reopened at 7.20am, but NZTA is still urging motorists to allow extra time for delays while the traffic eases.
“Merge left with care to pass and expect delays with only two lanes citybound open through this area,” NZTA said.
Earlier, police said that no injuries have been reported in the North Shore crash.
One commuter on Onewa Rd, Northcote, said they had only travelled about 2km in more than an hour.
According to Google Maps, traffic on SH1 before the crash was backed up for about 10km.
According to the NZTA traffic dashboard, the trip from Silverdale to the city was taking two hours at 6.45am . When traffic is free-flowing, the trip takes 17 minutes.
Commuters have been waiting for hours barely moving on Onewa Rd, Northcote, after a crash before Auckland Harbour Bridge southbound on May 6, 2025. NZ Herald photograph
SH1 NORTHERN MWY - 6:10AM A crash is blocking the two right southbound lanes between Onewa Rd & the Harbour Bridge. Merge left with care to pass and expect delays with only two lanes citybound open through this area. ^TP pic.twitter.com/W312P4nNry
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) May 5, 2025
This is the second day in a row of severe traffic delays for those on the North Shore.
Yesterday, a truck breakdown in the middle of the harbour bridge clogged the North Shore with queues.
North Shore councillor Richard Hills shared his frustration over having traffic snarled in his area for a second day.
SH18 UPPER HARBOUR MWY - 7:05AM A crash is part-blocking the right westbound lane just after Upper Harbour Bridge, prior to Squadron Dr off-ramp. Pass with care and expect some delays as this is cleared. ^TP pic.twitter.com/I8mlxnVONG
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) May 5, 2025
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