SH1 in Whangarei now open after crash that brought down power lines

Remarkably, police said no one was injured in the crash. Photo / Northland Police

State Highway 1 in Whangarei where a car crashed into a power pole has re-opened after being closed for several hours.

Police said although the south bound lane was opened about 10.45am, motorists should expect delays as Northpower lines crews were still replacing the damaged power pole.

Power was out to 480 properties after two lines, an 11,000 volt and a 400 volt one, came down in the crash.

Electricity workers at the crash scene trying to restore power to the area. Photo / Northern Advocate

Police were called to the scene at 6.10am after reports of a car crashing into a power pole at the intersection of SH1 and Raumanga Valley Rd.

No one was injured in the crash, a police spokeswoman said.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said the road was blocked at the intersection and traffic was congested in the area.

The road re-opened at 11am with both lanes open and traffic management in place.

Heavy vehicles would still need to use SH14 and SH15, by Maungatapere, to rejoin SH1 until the scene was fully cleared.

A Northpower spokesman said three crews were working on the poles, gradually restoring supply to "pockets" in the affected suburb. About half had power by 10am and it was expected connection would be restored to all by mid afternoon.

UPDATE 10:55AM:#SH1 now open in both directions with traffic management as repairs to power lines continue. Heavy vehicles with over dimensional loads must use SH14 & SH15 (via Maungatapere) until scene fully cleared this afternoon. ^TP
https://t.co/HMUD7mfvJY

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) October 3, 2018