Traffic builds at holiday hot spots

NZTA urges drivers to pick travel times carefully and, where possible, to use alternative routes. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Traffic is already beginning to build at hot spots across the country as people return home from their summer holidays.

Southbound traffic was congested for 5km in Warkworth north of Auckland earlier today, but the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) sad it had since eased off.

Traffic was also heavy in both directions on State Highway 25 between Coromandel and Kopu, NZTA said.

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Near Wellington, motorists are being warned of heavy traffic on SH1 near Otaki, which was expected to cause congestion later in the day.

Southbound passing lanes were already closed to help ease holiday congestion, and would reopen this evening depending on traffic flows.

Police central communications shift Inspector Guy Callahan said traffic was currently flowing freely, but predicted it would get more congested later in the day.

"I'm anticipating it's probably not going to get heavy until later in the afternoon and evening.

"I guess with the nice weather maybe people are getting on the road a little bit later."

Earlier today, NZTA central region media manager Anthony Frith said southbound traffic on State Highway 1 at Wellsford and westbound traffic at SH2 between Paeroa and Katikati was likely to be jam-packed this afternoon as Aucklanders returning from Coromandel and the north crammed the roads. Highways out of Napier and into Christchurch and Wellington were also expected to carry heavy traffic.

Yesterday morning police were warning motorists travelling north out of Auckland to avoid SH1 because of large queues between the Northern Gateway Toll Rd and Wellsford.

They urged those driving today to take their time and be safe. The holiday road toll was 14 last night, double the number of people killed during the Christmas-New Year period last year, and police have blamed speed and alcohol for most of the deaths. Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff urged drivers and passengers to be vigilant, alert and patient. "I would also stress that high-risk and dangerous overtaking is not worth the lives of the driver, any of your passengers or any other road user. Remember that while you may be a great driver, other people do make mistakes."

Speed determined how badly hurt vehicle occupants would be in a crash, he said. "Police officers hate having to knock on the door and watch the faces of family members as they realise that they are there to tell them someone has died."

Meanwhile, commuters will have full use of the Auckland Harbour Bridge from tomorrow after roadworks that closed the two northbound clip-on lanes, Curran St on-ramp and Stafford Rd off-ramp finished three days early.

Today's traffic hotspots

Travel early in the morning or after 7pm. Use alternative routes where possible.

North Island

• SH1 Wellsford (southbound). Take SH16 from Wellsford to avoid the congestion.
• SH2 Waihi between Paeroa and Katikati (westbound).
• SH3 Te Kuiti between Otorohanga and 8 Mile Junction SH3/SH4 (southbound).
• SH2 Tangoio between SH5 and Wairoa (southbound).
• SH1 between Waiouru and Taihape (southbound).
• SH2 Norsewood between Hastings and Woodville SH3 (southbound).
• SH2 Rimutaka Hill between Wellington and Featherston (both directions).

South Island

• SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim (westbound).
• SH1 Kaikoura between Blenheim and Kaikoura (southbound).
• SH7 Lewis Pass (eastbound).
• SH73 Arthur's Pass (eastbound).
• SH1 Waimakariri between Christchurch and Kaiapoi (southbound).
• SH1 between Christchurch and Ashburton (southbound).