Auckland traffic: K' Rd partially blocked due to fire, causing congestion
Traffic is being diverted around Karangahape Rd in central Auckland on Monday evening as emergency crews battle to put out a fire.
Firefighters have blocked off the area between Pitt St and Queen St as they look to extinguish a hot water cylinder ablaze on the first floor of a building on the thoroughfare.
Buses have also been diverted down Pitt St, according to Auckland Transport.
Earlier in the day, truck and trailer breakdown on SH1, citybound, caused delays for lunchtime commuters in Auckland.
The Fulton Hogan truck and trailer unit had to be towed from the inside lane on the city bound section of SH1 under the Mountain Rd over bridge.
Earlier on Monday, Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel has closed during the morning rush hour, causing long delays for commuters.
The tunnel closed about 8.45am due to a potential overheight vehicle, Waka Kotahi said.
By 9am, the tunnel had been reopened, and traffic was free flowing.
The closure only added to Tāmaki Makaurau’s yearly “March Madness”, which kicked off on February 27 with the return of university students.
But the annual traffic chaos, which notoriously spikes in New Zealand’s biggest city in March, likely won’t end until Easter, Greater Auckland's Matt Lowrie said.
UPDATE 6:15PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 27, 2023
This crash is now clear of lanes. ^CO https://t.co/tarmc5kasm
School holidays, long weekends for Easter and Anzac Day, and a slow return of winter bugs may take people off the crowded transport network but in the meantime, commuters can expect long waits on busy roads with no easy solutions for the short term, Lowrie said.
This year, things have been made even worse with the lack of regular and reliable public transport options.
KiwiRail has closed multiple lines for urgent foundational repairs and replaced services with buses.
Auckland Transport is struggling to recruit drivers and lately has a citywide shortage of some 378 bus drivers and 36 ferry drivers – around a fifth of the workforce.