A truck and van collision has blocked both directions of Auckland's South Eastern Highway after causing multiple nose-to-tail collisions. Source: Karan Arora
Traffic is heavy and slow on Auckland's Southern Motorway as holidaymakers and commuters begin the crawl south to escape the city for Christmas.
A crash that was blocking two southbound lanes on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane has been cleared but NZTA Auckland is warning to expect delays anyway.
Itsaid traffic was heavy from Spaghetti Junction following the crash which was cleared about 3.30pm.
Airport-bound motorists have been urged to allow extra time or consider alternative routes.
The NZTA said traffic was heavy on George Bolt Memorial Drive, SH20A.
The road is a notorious black spot and NZTA has tweeted that motorists can expect traffic to be heaviest between 3pm and 7pm on Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile NZTA Auckland is warning holidaymakers heading to the Coromandel Peninsula tomorrow to be wary of traffic congestion on State Highway 2 through Maramarua.
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) December 23, 2016
In Christchurch, a set of traffic signals at the intersection of Moorhouse Ave, Lincoln Rd and Hagely Ave have been fixed and are back to normal operation.
The lights had been flashing yellow, and motorists urged to use the give way rules and take care through the area.
Christchurch drivers have been warned to expect heavy congestion in the wider Addington area because of a mixture of Christmas shopping traffic and poor weather.
Last-minute Christmas shoppers can expect increased traffic around malls in the lead-up to Sunday, NZTA Christchurch said.
"Roads around Tower Junction and Westfield Riccarton shopping malls are jam-packed."
Roadworks on Moorhouse Ave has stopped for the Christmas break with all lanes between Selwyn and Antigua streets reopened. Works will continue in the New Year with lanes westbound being reduced in the same area.
And Manchester St one way southbound has been reduced to one lane, also because of roadworks, NZTA said.
"It is now between Worcester and Hereford streets. Northbound traffic should use Madras St. This is due to road reconstruction."
Motorists are recommended to avoid:
• Blenheim Rd/Moorhouse Ave - from Montreal St to Wharenui Rd • Clarence St - from Blenheim Rd to Riccarton Rd • Lincoln Rd - from Moorhouse Ave to Barrington St
