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Motorists face a second day of stagnation after a truck damaged part of the Harbor Bridge, closing four lanes, possibly for weeks.
Two trucks were caught in a 127-kilometer-per-hour gust of wind around 11.10 a.m. Friday.
Traffic delays continued well into the night on both SH1 and the western ring route, and continued on Saturday.
Hibiscus Coast commuters face 20 minutes longer than normal on their trips to the city center, while West Auckland drivers will be stuck in traffic for about an hour.
READ MORE:
* Auckland Harbor Bridge accident: four lanes could be closed for weeks
* Chaos on Auckland Harbor Bridge: overturned truck causes traffic jams on motorways
The Auckland Traffic Board of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) showed that drivers from Silverdale would take about 40 minutes to reach the city, while commuters from Helensville via Upper Harbor Highway (SH18) and SH1 they would get to the CBD in about an hour and 10 minutes. .
Nigel Horrocks / Supplied
Traffic crawling on the motorway network around 10:30 am around the city center following Friday’s damage to the Harbor Bridge.
The AA highway surveillance map showed heavy congestion in, outside and around the city center.
In strong winds on Friday, one of the trucks rolled over, while the other flew sideways, hitting the bridge’s superstructure, before straightening out.
The overturned truck belonged to Castle Parcels courier service. General manager Michael Claydo said the driver was taken to the hospital for a checkup and was “shaken” but not seriously injured.
NZTA senior travel manager Neil Walker said the second truck fell off a steel stud when it hit the bridge.
The bridge is expected to see a significant reduction in capacity over several days and possibly weeks, with only the two outer lanes open in each direction.
Walker added that there are no concerns regarding the overall integrity and safety of the bridge.
“Congestion on the road network is inevitable as we assess the damage and necessary repairs.”
On average, more than 170,000 vehicles cross the bridge on weekdays.
The NZTA recommended that Auckland residents avoid the bridge by working from home or taking an alternative route, such as the Western Ring Route (SH20, SH16 and SH18).
The northern busway is not affected, Walker said.
“Waka Kotahi understands that this will cause inconvenience and disruption… and thanks the drivers for their patience. We are working to ensure that the bridge can be operational again as soon as possible. [as possible]. “
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Traffic is heading over the Auckland Harbor Bridge from the CBD on Saturday at 9.30am. M.
