Traffic: Multiple crashes adding to congestion during Friday rush hour

Queues building at the Southern and Southwestern motorways interchange earlier. Photo / NZTA

Congestion is starting to ease heading out of the city on most Auckland motorways after a series of crashes - including at least one serious incident - ahead of and during rush hour.

A crash, involving multiple vehicles, that was blocking the right citybound lane of the Southern Motorway just before the Market Rd overpass has now been cleared, but traffic is still heavy between Princes St and Market Rd, NZTA said in its latest traffic update.

Earlier this afternoon, a crash blocked the right-hand lane of the Takanini overpass on the Southern Motorway citybound, causing delays. Traffic was backed up to Papakura after the vehicles involved in the collision were moved off the road.

Going south it's moderate to heavy in patches between the city and Market Rd and Te Irirangi and Takanini.

A serious crash has blocked Hobsonville Rd between Williams and Suncrest roads.

Brigham Creek Rd is also closed to traffic heading to Hobsonville. Diversions were in place.

Traffic is easing on the Northern Motorway northbound after a vehicle breakdown earlier this afternoon caused delays. Between Tristram Ave and Constellation Drive it's light to moderate.

Heading south traffic is heavy in sections between Greville and Rosedale roads.

On the Southwestern Motorway traffic is moderate to heavy near the Southern Link southbound, but it's free flowing northbound.

The Northwestern Motorway is congested between Patiki and Lincoln roads westbound. Citybound, it's flowing freely.

Traffic is flowing freely in both directions through the Waterview Tunnel.