Auckland traffic: Long delays from Silverdale to city, travel time more than an hour

Auckland motorists heading into town from north of the city are facing long delays, with travel time taking almost an hour-and-a-half from Silverdale.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is reporting it is taking up to an hour and 20 minutes to drive from Silverdale into the city, via State Highway 1 and the Harbour Bridge, this morning. In free-flowing traffic, that trip takes less than 20 minutes.

One motorist driving into the city centre from Warkworth said just after 9am that she had been on the road since before 8am.

“I’ve never seen traffic from Silverdale this bad.”

The driver said she thought there had been a crash that had led to the heavy congestion this morning, but after checking traffic map times online found it would take more than an hour to arrive downtown.

“I expect traffic around Albany area, but from Silverdale - that’s quite bad.”

No crashes or breakdowns have been reported on the route and the congestion comes as many children start back at school.

It is taking almost an hour-and-a-half to travel on SH1 from Silverdale to Greville Rd, Auckland. Image / NZTA

Earlier this morning, police issued an alert advising motorists of a multiple-vehicle crash causing delays on the Southern Motorway.

The incident was reported at 6.30am and was blocking a northbound lane near Princes St.

“At this stage, it doesn’t appear any serious injuries have been reported. Traffic is currently building and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.”

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said the crash was blocking the right lane northbound just after the Highbrook Drive on-ramp.

“Pass with extra care and expect delays.”

Road authorities said shortly afterwards that the crash had been cleared and all lanes were now open. However, people are still warned of “residual delays”.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY - 6:30AM
A crash is blocking the right lane northbound just after Highbrook Dr on-ramp. Pass with extra care and expect delays. ^MS pic.twitter.com/iCRW3YJ66M

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 29, 2024

Auckland Transport is also advising train commuters of an issue that will affect Newmarket, Southern and Western line services today.

Just before 7am, a travel alert was issued saying they were dealing with a KiwiRail track infrastructure issue that is affecting those line services and will operate at a reduced frequency until further notice.

In the meantime, scheduled buses will be accepting rail tickets and AT hop cards.

Due to a Kiwirail track infrastructure issue at Newmarket, Southern and Western line services will operate at a reduced frequency until further notice. Scheduled buses are accepting rail tickets and AT hop cards. pic.twitter.com/s6hejTjCYN

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) January 29, 2024