Motorway mayhem: Long delays for Aucklanders after car fire and crash

Firefighters attended a blazing van after it caught fire on State Highway One. Photo / Silvia Titter

Traffic on SH1 on Auckland's North Shore remains at a near stand-still after a car caught fire late afternoon.

The incident is one of three which has caused lengthy delays for commuters heading home on Friday afternoon and evening.

Motorists on SH1 faced delays in both directions due to a car fire in the right northbound lane near the Esmonde Rd off ramp.

Smoke could be seen billowing out of the car and across the motorway, in a video shared by the NZ Transport Agency.

Firefighters attend to a blazing van after it caught fire on State Highway One. Photo / Silvia Titter

Motorists were advised late afternoon to delay their journeys or seek alternative routes with two lanes blocked northbound, and one blocked southbound.

SH1 NORTHERN MWY, BOTH DIRECTIONS - 5:20PM
A car fire in the right northbound lane just prior to Esmonde Rd off-ramp is causing delays in both directions currently. Delay your journey or allow extra time. ^TP pic.twitter.com/qZMhVaHYS6

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 17, 2020

And at 8.30pm, two northhbound lanes remained blocked as crews worked to clear the sight.

Meanwhile on the southwestern motorway (SH20) northbound a crash just before 5pm was blocking the right lane just after the on-ramp from Puhinui Rd.

UPDATE 5:15PM
This crash still blocking. Tow services are on route. Delay your journey or consider alternative route with delays northbound from Lambie Dr. ^TPhttps://t.co/aeenj1OTeg

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 17, 2020

NZTA advised motorists to delay their journey or consider alternative route with delays northbound from Lambie Dr.

Traffic on the southwestern motorway was also ffected further by a crash involving several cars, including a classic car, near Lambie Dr.

Two cars involved in the crash near Lambie Dr. Photo / Supplied

In Wellington, a crash was holding up those wanting to escape the city for Anniversary weekend.

Northbound lanes on State Highway 1, south of Te Horo, were initially blocked.

NZTA said all emergency services and a helicopter had been disptached to the crash.

Congestion had already been building in the area, through to Otaki, for about three hours from 2.30pm.

A car rolled after 5pm today in Hamilton city centre today.

In Hamilton, a car has rolled after 5pm today in the city centre on Tristram St between Hill St and Collingwood St.

Fire and Emergency was still trying to extricate on person with moderate injures using the jaws of life at 6pm today.