Northern Motorway crash: Lanes cleared and drivers should expect delays, truck driver took evasive action to avoid car

A jackknifed truck that ended up blocking two lanes on Auckland’s Northern Motorway was forced to take evasive action after being cut off by another vehicle.

The truck’s owner StraitNZ said one of its vehicles was involved in an incident this morning.

“Our driver was not injured, and we’re not aware of injuries to any other motorists. We’ll be working with our driver to complete an investigation into the incident.”

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the vehicle that was blocking lanes in both directions has been cleared, but motorists should expect delays traveling southbound into the city, and drivers should allow extra time for delays in the area to ease.

Earlier, the truck had been straddling the central barrier of the motorway between Northcote and Esmonde Rds.

At 12.30pm it was taking 70 minutes to travel from Albany to the city centre. NZTA was advising motorists to use the SH16 ring route to travel south.

A police statement said the crash was reported about 11.05am and one lane on each side of the motorway is currently blocked between Northcote Rd and Esmonde Rd.

“No serious injuries have been reported in relation to the crash.

“We ask motorists to take an alternate route where possible and to expect some delays while the scene is cleared.”

Just before midday, Google Maps traffic data showed southbound traffic gridlocked back to Constellation Drive.

One motorist described the scene as “absolute bloody chaos”.

Meanwhile, a truck has crashed on Paparoa Oakleigh Rd, south of Waiotira Rd in the Mangapai area – a key detour route suggested to motorists due to the closure of State Highway 1 over the Bryndwerwyn Hills.

This crash comes on the first day of the SH1 closure. The highway is scheduled to reopen in the middle of May.