Aucklanders are being urged to plan ahead and check the latest information before travelling in the city tomorrow by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Auckland Transport (AT) and police.
That’s because “significant disruptions and delays on the state highway network and on local roads, including through the Auckland CBD” are expected with the North Island hīkoi (march) due to arrive in Auckland.
NZTA and AT says they’re working with police to prepare for possible disruptions from the planned hīkoi.
Police are leading the operational planning and response to the hīkoi, which has the potential to cause significant congestion, disruption and delays on key highways and arterial routes in the city on Wednesday, NZTA says.
It has agreed with police that two lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be closed from early Wednesday morning to ensure the safety of hīkoi participants and road users.
“This will affect morning peak hour traffic in both directions. The lanes will be reopened to traffic as soon as it’s safe to,” NZTA says.
Closures will be in place at the Stafford Road offramp, Curran Street onramp, and the two outer northbound lanes of the bridge itself.
The Shelly Beach Road southbound offramp will also be closed.
Part of the group will march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Wednesday morning, NZTA says.
Police major operations director, Superintendent Kelly Ryan, says they’re working closely between NZTA and hīkoi organisers around safety for participants and the public.
“Our expectation is clear that the group moves safely and efficiently across the harbour bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
“It’s expected that northbound travel on the bridge will be impacted as two lanes are closed for part of the morning, with the group exiting at the Curran Street onramp.
“Police will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route,” says Ryan.
NZTA and AT says they’ll be closely monitoring the impact of the hīkoi on the city’s transport network at Auckland Transport Operations Centre.
“We will provide real-time updates for road users on any delays or disruptions,” says NZTA.
Road users travelling to work or school are advised to allow extra time and plan their route using the NZTA Journey Planner.
“Buses may experience delays or need to be detoured throughout the day,” says AT.
- Auckland Transport says for the most up to date information including live tracking of buses, go to Live Departures at www.at.govt.nz or the AT mobile app.
