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Motorcyclists and high-sided vehicle drivers are urged to avoid using the Auckland Harbor Bridge as high winds continue through Tuesday.
It comes after the Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency said the lanes on the bridge could close on short notice due to the wind.
On Monday morning, he said he would not hesitate to close some lanes or the entire bridge for “short periods of time” for safety reasons if wind gusts exceed 80 km / h.
Neil Walker, the agency’s senior travel manager, warned that closures could occur in “a very short time.”
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Walker said winds reached 75 km / h on Monday and the strong winds are forecast to continue through Tuesday afternoon.
“We strongly encourage motorcycles and high-sided vehicles to use the western ring route as a safer alternative.”
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Lanes can be closed on the harbor bridge on “very short notice” due to strong gusts of wind.
Wind gusts remain a concern and the agency’s bridge team continues to measure gusts to assess whether the lanes on the bridge will need to be closed as a safety measure.
“Closures can happen on very short notice. Waka Kotahi recognizes that lane closures will cause disruption and inconvenience, however safety is our top priority and lane closures will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so, ”said Walker.
Previously, MetService reported that more unstable weather with strong wind gusts was forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
“Waka Kotahi is taking a very conservative approach to managing the bridge during this period of unstable weather and is closely monitoring wind patterns,” Walker said.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said around 8 a.m. that the wind speed at the bridge at 6 a.m. Monday had been 67 km / h, but was currently hovering around 50 km / h.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Motorists are urged to avoid traveling or seek an alternate route when future strong winds threaten lane closures.
Heading into the afternoon, he said the speed of winds and gusts could increase again, between 50 and 60 km / h.
But with a cold front moving overnight, Makgabutlane said winds could reach between 70 and 80 km / h. Rains, possibly heavy, and hail were also on the cards.
On Monday afternoon, meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said the wind gusts were expected to be very similar on Tuesday as they were on Monday.
A cold front at dawn could bring heavy rains and gusts of between 70 and 90km / h.
The weather would improve for later in the week, he said.
The NZTA had looked to close lanes on the bridge Sunday if wind gusts reached 90 km / h, as forecast.
However, the wind speed decreased around 10 am, so it was not necessary to close the lanes.
Like the weekend, Auckland Transport was looking to replace double-decker buses with single-decker buses over the bridge on Monday and Tuesday as a safety measure.
