Car crash chaos on Auckland roads cause delays

A person was trapped in their car this morning after a crash on Alfriston Rd, south of Auckland. Image / Google Maps

Multiple crashes in Auckland this morning have caused lengthy delays for motorists.

One motorist who travelled the Northwestern from her home in Massey to the city, a distance of 16km, took almost two hours to get to work. She said the journey usually took about half an hour depending on traffic.

"The traffic was absolutely crawling," she said.

"It was so frustrating I just had to turn up the music and ride it out.

"The only sign of a crash I could see was a tow truck and a car pulled over on the side of the motorway near the Newton Rd turnoff. The car didn't seem to badly damaged."

A seven-car crash near a major Auckland motorway is one of four collisions creating chaos on the city's roads this morning.

The seven cars collided on Hillsborough Rd, Mt Roskill, just after 6.30am.

A Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said nobody was trapped or injured, but the crash blocked the middle lane for a time and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is warning of commuter delays to Maioro St.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY, CITYBOUND - DELAYS - 8:15AM
An earlier crash after Bond St (now cleared) has left #AklTraffic heavy & slow citybound on #SH16 this morning. Please be patient & allow extra time. ^TP pic.twitter.com/5o2DCT3qyH

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 26, 2018

SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY, SOUTHBOUND - DELAYS - 7:10AM
An earlier crash southbound near Hillsborough off-ramp is NOW CLEAR, leaving significant congestion from Waterview Tunnel to Hillsborough. Allow extra time this morning. ^TP pic.twitter.com/RehArMwTpr

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 26, 2018

Meanwhile, a trapped driver was cut from a car that crashed into another car on Alfriston Rd, Manurewa, about 6.15am.

A police spokeswoman said one person had moderate leg injuries and was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital.

The road has re-opened after the crash.

UPDATE 7:10AM
This crash scene has now been cleared & Alfriston Rd is OPEN again. Please allow extra time as delays in the area ease. ^TP
https://t.co/0DX99waLgt

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) March 26, 2018

And on the Northwestern Motorway, citybound past Bond St, a crash is blocking the middle lane and the NZTA is warning of delays back to Great North Rd.

SH16 NORTHWESTERN MWY, CITYBOUND - CRASH - 6:40AM
A crash is blocking the middle lane (of 5) eastbound after Bond St overbridge. Pass with care & expect delays. ^TP

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 26, 2018

Red Beach Rd north of Auckland is also closed in both directions near Whangaparaoa Rd after a truck and trailer rolled about 4.30am.

A police spokeswoman said nobody was injured.

UPDATE 6:55AM
A section of Red Beach Rd, between Whangaparaoa Rd & Bay St, is NOW CLOSED. Diversions are in place. Please avoid this area or expect delays. ^TP
https://t.co/YshZENYZYA

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) March 26, 2018

NZTA is advising motorists to use alternative routes.