Auckland Harbour Bridge facing possible rush hour closures as strong winds hit

“Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise if any lane closures and reduced speed limits are required,” NZTA said.

MetService told the Herald the wind this evening was likely to be 75-80km/h and there was a small risk it could hit 90km/h.

Auckland is set for windy and wet conditions, with heavy showers expected at the same time.

Auckland Transport said some bus services that cross the harbour bridge may be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel and plan their journeys ahead.

Delays and cancellations to some ferry services are also possible, according to Auckland Transport.

Debris previously blocking all northbound lanes after the Constellation Drive off-ramp on the Northern Motorway has been cleared.

All lanes have been restored.

“Road users should expect delays until congestion has eased and traffic returns to normal afternoon peak flows,” said NZTA.

The harbour bridge had closures near the end of last month after MetService issued a red alert because of severe and potentially damaging winds.

On Sunday, August 31, the bridge was closed in both directions for about 10 minutes, and lane reductions were in place into the evening.

Elsewhere, MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch “with the risk of damaging wind gusts greater than 110 km/h from Kapiti Coast to Whanganui”.

Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings have also been issued a strong wind watch.