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NZTA / Supplied
The lanes between Greville Rd and Upper Harbor Highway are closed because the road surface in the right two lanes has been lifted.
Two lanes on the Auckland North Expressway will be closed overnight after the road surface is lifted, creating a “significant speed bump”.
The right lane in both directions between Greville Rd and Upper Harbor Highway has been closed since shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday.
It has caused major delays for motorists, and the trip to Albany from the CBD has taken over an hour, twice the usual rush hour travel time.
NZTA’s Andrea Williamson cautioned that long delays were expected during the remainder of the afternoon peak period.
As a result, motorists were advised to avoid the highway and use alternative routes whenever possible.
He said the lanes would remain closed for the rest of the day and would reopen at 5 a.m. Wednesday after repairs have been made.
Williamson said the lanes were closed because the road surface had lifted, causing a “significant speed bump” for vehicles.
“Repairs cannot begin immediately due to the amount of traffic on the highway. We have to prioritize the safety of our crews who would work alongside active freeway lanes, ”he said.
The “significant speed bump” has been caused by highway construction crews working under the elevated stretch of freeway.
They were pumping grout material that got blocked and seeped below the road surface causing it to rise.
The repair would involve removing the road surface, removing the grout material, and then paving with asphalt.
All freeway lanes would be closed in both directions as of 9 p.m. Tuesday from SH1 Upper Harbor Highway to the Greville Rd junction.
Motorists were advised to follow posted detour signs.
All lanes of the freeway are expected to open to traffic at 5 a.m. Wednesday.
