Wild weather could close Auckland Harbor Bridge around 10am, 110km / h wind forecast

The Auckland Harbor Bridge could close around 10am today as wild weather hits the city.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is preparing to close some lanes on the Auckland Harbor Bridge this morning ahead of a forecast wind change that could bring gusts of up to 110 km / h.

There are currently north wind gusts of up to 70km / h in Auckland, but the bridge is relatively protected, says NZTA.

However, Metservice forecasts a north-west wind shift around 9.30am that could bring winds of 80-90 km / h.

Metservice also forecasts a front that will bring gusts of west wind of up to 110 km / h for a short time from 10.15 a.m.

“The change of wind could bring a rapid change in the strength of the gusts, so as a precaution we will close one lane to the south and two lanes to the north on the bridge until the wind calms down,” said the senior manager. of Waka Kotahi Travel, Neil Walker.

“If the wind reaches 90 km / h as expected, we will close a second lane heading south.”

Walker said the 110km / h gusts could cause all lanes to be closed.

Motorists, especially drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcycles, are advised to avoid the bridge this morning and use the western ring route on SH16 and SH18.

“The Auckland Harbor Bridge is safe for use despite the damage done to the superstructure last Friday. However, it is in a vulnerable state until we complete a permanent repair, so we want to do everything we can to protect the bridge and the people who use it. Safety is our top priority. “

“Waka Kotahi recognizes that lane closures will cause disruption and inconvenience, but safety is our priority and lane closures will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Auckland got stuck after the bridge was damaged by strong winds on September 18. A container truck driving south over Auckland’s Harbor Bridge was thrown sideways by wind gusts of up to 127km / h, seriously damaging the structure.

Another “mid-size” truck heading north was also caught in the gusts of wind and cut through two lanes of traffic before landing on a moving barrier where it remained stuck.

The accidents meant that Auckland’s roads and public transport network were plunged into chaos as traffic piled up for miles along the city’s north and northwest motorways.

“The truck that hit the bridge has damaged the superstructure, with a steel strut cut away,” said NZTA senior travel manager Neil Walker.

Motorists trying to return home at that time to the west and north of the city reported being stuck in traffic for hours.

On average, more than 170,000 vehicles cross the bridge on weekdays. Its eight lanes are changed four times a day in different configurations to accommodate rush hour traffic flows.

The latest incident rekindled the second debate about the port crossing.