Auckland Harbour Bridge may close as strong winds hit city during rush hour

Lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge may close as strong 90km/h gusts set to lash the city today from midday into evening rush hour.

The strongest wind gusts on the bridge could reach 75km/h to 80km/h between 11am and 7pm, triggering an amber alert.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urged drivers to take extra care and be prepared for the possibility of lane closures or reduced speed limits on the harbour bridge.

Strong winds are expected to buffet the Auckland Harbour Bridge today, bringing the possibility of lane closures.

The bridge will remain in a 4x4 configuration during the alert period, NZTA said.

MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti told the Herald, “We’re expecting a rainy day for Auckland”.

“There’s a front that will be moving through in the morning.

“Heavier rain in the morning, but then once we reach midday, it will be more of a showery day.”

Gusts may reach 90km/h across Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Waitomo, he added.

“That will be prevalent up until the evening period.

“However, we have no plans to issue a strong wind watch at the moment.”

Motorists were urged to drive to the conditions, look out for the electronic message boards indicating any lane closures or speed-limit reductions, and stay within their lane while travelling across the bridge, NZTA said.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were advised to avoid the harbour bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.

The forecast of high winds comes after days of severe flooding, landslides and evacuations in storm-hit regions across New Zealand.

Emergency services in Auckland responded to a “small localised landslide” at Muriwai on Auckland’s northwest coast, where three properties were initially evacuated over the weekend.

Chris Lind, Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Assistant Commander for Waitematā, said the landslide was a result of rain over the past couple of days.

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