A full closure to one side of Auckland Harbour Bridge will take place tomorrow as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters march across.
Southbound traffic from Auckland’s North Shore on the Northern Motorway will not be able to cross the bridge.
It will be closed from Esmonde Rd and Fanshawe St from 9am. There is no time given when lanes will reopen.
Police say they hold concerns over “significant safety risks” to themselves, police staff and other motorists.
Motorway signs this morning alerted motorists to the closure of all southbound traffic over the bridge tomorrow.
The protest is expected to cause widespread traffic congestion.
Organisers say they expect tens of thousands of people for the March for Humanity protest, starting at Onepoto Domain in Northcote at 9.30am.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT) urged travellers to avoid the bridge or delay journeys.
Northbound bridge lanes will reduce from four to three.
“All vehicles, especially freight, are recommended to use the Western Ring Route on state highways 16 and 18.
“The southbound closure of the Auckland Harbour Bridge will cause knock-on effects across Auckland’s transport network and there may be ongoing congestion and delays after the protest has finished.”
Public transport users should expect significant delays and cancellations to bus routes NX1, NX2, 82, 95B, 95C, 923, 97R, and 97B throughout the day. Some buses and routes may be cancelled.
Relieving Waitematā District Commander Inspector Stefan Sagar said police have communicated the “significant safety risks” to protest organisers.
“Large numbers of pedestrians accessing the Harbour Bridge pose significant safety risks to themselves, our police staff, and other motorists.
“Weather may also pose safety risks to pedestrians in that area.
“While police respect the right to protest, we have reiterated safety concerns to organisers as part of ongoing communication.”
Sagar expected protesters to move “safely and efficiently” while police deploy “significant resources” to ensure protesters are kept safe.
He said police would be highly visible.
March for Humanity spokeswoman Nadia Abu-Shanab said they have had the sign-off from police.
Abu-Shanab did not know when the protest would finish, but she expected it to take hours.
“We’re expecting to have thousands of people come out to show their support for demanding our Government take action, to end the genocide in Gaza and impose sanctions on Israel.
“And there’s a lot of people who are passionate about that. So it might take many hours to move that diverse and awesome crowd of people through.”
She said there were fears about strong winds tomorrow, but they are working with past organisers of bridge protests to ensure safety.
“We’re wanting to go ahead because we’ve got a really important message to deliver. The time is now to deliver that message. We’re on the eve of Winston Peters travelling to New York to a global leaders summit.”
Earlier, the NZTA said heavy congestion and delays were expected in both directions on the bridge, as well as on other state highways and local roads.
It said it would provide “real-time updates” on Saturday morning and encouraged motorists to check NZTA social media and its website.
Saturday’s march follows similar demonstrations in Australia last month, where tens of thousands of protesters marched over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Brisbane’s Victoria Bridge.
Last year, a hīkoi of thousands crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge en route to Wellington to protest the controversial Treaty Principles Bill.
It took two hours for protesters to cross the bridge on two closed northbound lanes just after morning rush hour.
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