Truck crash closes part of Northwestern Motorway at rush hour, motorists face delays

A section of Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway remains closed, and a person is in critical condition after a truck crashed into a barrier, bringing down a light pole across a lane.

Five hours after the crash on State Highway 16, the city-bound lanes reopened.

However, NZTA said the road remains closed to northbound traffic.

UPDATE 1:35PM
SH16 is now OPEN to southbound traffic. The road remains CLOSED to northbound traffic. ^AG https://t.co/G5P5gSWp6D

— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 22, 2025

Earlier commuters were warned that State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek roundabout and Hobsonville Rd overpass was closed after the crash.

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) told motorists to detour around the scene and to expect delays.

Traffic was snarled in both directions.

A police statement said the truck collided with a barrier on the westbound lanes on SH16 about 8.40am, before the Brigham Creek Rd roundabout.

“The crash has left debris on opposite lanes, and traffic heading towards the city on SH16 is also being impacted.

“Police advise there are heavy delays around the Brigham Creek Road intersection.

“Please use an alternative route if at all possible.”

An update at 10.10am said the road remained closed while the truck was removed.

A crash on the North Western motorway has snarled traffic in both directions.

Cameras on the NZTA website show a street light felled by the incident, debris over the road and queues.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Michael Anderson said one person was “heavily trapped” in the tipper truck.

Cutting tools were used on the cab’s roof to extract the person.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one person was taken to Auckland City Hospital.

Fire and Emergency had sent two rescue tenders and a heavy rescue truck at 8.41am to the crash near the SH16/SH18 northern interchange.

A bystander said the truck appeared to have mounted the concrete median barrier.

The NZ Transport Agency traffic cameras' view. Photo / NZTA

All city-bound lanes had been closed despite the crash happening on the other side of the motorway. Traffic was backed “as far as the eye could see” in both directions.

According to Google Maps, traffic was backed up for about 2.5km heading into the city.