Heavy traffic, breakdowns and crash on Auckland motorways delay morning commute

Aucklanders hoping to get to work before Hola's heavy rains are being delayed by heavy traffic, a crash and breakdowns on several motorways this morning.

A crash is blocking the centre lane on the Northwestern Motorway just after Bond St, causing delays.

A police spokeswoman said there had been a crash between a ute and a truck at 6.30am near the Newton off-ramp.

A tow truck was on the way to clear the scene, she said.

Traffic heading towards central Auckland is heavy between Westgate and Royal Rd.

UPDATE 6:55AM
The middle lane remains blocked with tow services on route. Please allow extra time for your citybound journey this morning. ^TP
https://t.co/SCnCvqybcR

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 11, 2018

Traffic is also heavy between Drury and Papakura on the Southern Motorway where a breakdown has just been cleared.

The breakdown was blocking the left lane just after Papakura.

Another breakdown was also blocking the centre left lane between Ellerslie and Greenlane, further slowing traffic on the Southern Motorway.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWY, NORTHBOUND - BREAKDOWN - 7:35AM

A breakdown is now blocking one middle lane (lane 2 of 4) citybound after Ellerslie-Panmure interchange. Expect delays. ^TP

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 11, 2018

On the Northern Motorway, there is a heavy patch of traffic from Silverdale onwards and another heavy patch between Oteha Valley Rd and Wairau Rd.

A breakdown is partially blocking the right lane just after Constellation Dr.

SH1 NORTHERN MWY, SOUTHBOUND - DELAYS - 7:15AM

A breakdown continues to part-block the right lane after Constellation Dr, while a 2nd breakdown has now been cleared near Oteha Valley Rd. Allow extra time. ^TP pic.twitter.com/doCBWBUvX8

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) March 11, 2018