Tree cleared on SH1 in Dome Valley, but traffic still congested

The tree is blocking State Highway 1. Photo / Cody Manaaki O'Brien‎

A tree that blocked State Highway 1 north of Warkworth for three hours today has now been cleared.

A spokesman for the NZ Transport Agency said the tree, which fell down near the Top of the Dome between Warkworth and Wellsford at 3.30pm, was cleared to reopen traffic in both directions by 6.25pm.

"There some congestion in the area but it should ease quickly now that both lanes are open," he said.

UPDATE 6:25PM
Contractors have now been able to clear this tree, so #SH1 is OPEN in both directions again. Allow extra time for delays through the area to ease. ^TPhttps://t.co/MdXiSmfxd0

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 2, 2019

Earlier, one lane was opened at 4pm under stop/go traffic management.

"Crews are on site and working to clear the fallen tree," the spokesman said then.

"Traffic is backing up in both directions and we'd advise motorists to delay their journeys north and south on SH1 until the road is open to two lanes again."

A motorist who just missed being hit by the tree as he was driving south towards Warkworth said no one was hurt when the tree fell, but traffic was banking up a long way in both directions.