19 Apr 2019

Easter weekend: Traffic build-up causing delays

12:23 pm on 19 April 2019

The Transport Agency is advising holidaymakers to plan ahead as traffic on roads around the country build up.

Taffic jam on highway during peak or rush hour.

Photo: 123RF

Drivers are being warned of 30 minute delays driving through Bulls after a crash this morning.

The Transport Agency said the crash blocked the northbound lane of State Highway 1 just south of the township, but has now been cleared.

Long queues are yet to clear, and delays are expected while the congestion eases.

In Wellington, traffic heading north on State Highway 1 between Peka Peka to Ōtaki is congested.

Motorists could expect delays between 45 and 60 minutes while travelling northbound in that area, NZTA said.

Meanwhile, in Auckland motorists are being advised that they can expect heavy traffic on SH1 southbound on Takanini from this morning until about 5pm.

Heavy traffic was also expected northbound on SH1 between Puhoi and Wellsford until about 8pm.

For more information on congestion times, check out NZTA's guide.

NZTA acting director of safety and environment Niclas Johansson said that with Easter Monday, Anzac Day and school holidays all falling at the same time this year, it's likely to be extra busy on the roads.

Police have said there will be more officers on the roads this weekend, with a 4km/h tolerance for all static and mobile speed cameras nationwide.

Last Easter, seven people died, 45 were seriously injured and 155 people suffered minor injuries on the roads.

The weather for the long weekend looks set to start off well for most, but it will be downhill from there, according to forecasts.