Motorists are advised to plan ahead and follow the basics of road safety to make their journey as safe as possible this Anzac Day long weekend.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Auckland operations manager Rua Pani says the public holiday falls within the school holiday period, so it’s likely to be extra busy on the country’s roads.
“Some congestion and delays are inevitable during holiday periods, but with school holidays in full swing this year, including people visiting from across the ditch, we want to remind everyone to leave plenty of time for their journey, drive to the conditions and plan ahead before leaving home.”
To minimise delays over the holiday weekend, all road works on State Highways in Northland, apart from weather-related and emergency works, will be on hold over Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For safety reasons, temporary speed limits will remain in place around several work sites on SH1 between Auckland and Whangarei, including through the Dome Valley, on Matakana Link Road and at Loop Road. Traffic management will be in place on Loop road heading west on SH15 and on SH12 at Rawene Rd.
Brief road closures will be in place on SH16 through Helensville and Wellsford on Sunday morning while the road is used for Anzac Day commemorations.
Detours will be in place during that time.
Heading north out of Auckland traffic is expected to be heaviest on SH1 between Puhoi and Wellsford from midday to 8pm on Friday and again between 8.30am and 3pm on Saturday.
For those heading south from Auckland through Manukau on SH1, the busiest times are expected to be between 10pm and 3pm on Friday and 9am and 1.30pm on Saturday.
Returning on Monday, people should expect the motorway to be busiest from 11am to 8pm.
“Starting your trip at non-peak times can make the journey safer, easier and more enjoyable,” Pani says.
“Also remember that predicted peak times for travel may change based on traffic incidents, weather, driver behaviour, or changes in Covid-19 alert levels, so it’s also a good idea to check the very latest conditions before you head away.”
People can go online to www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz just before they head off for real-time travel information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, road works and road closures.
