The Transport Agency is advising holidaymakers to plan ahead as traffic on roads around the country build up.
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.
UPDATE 12.05PM
— NZTA Central Nth Is (@NZTACNI) April 19, 2019
Due to a prior crash just south of Bulls, expect delays of up to 30 minutes as congestion eases. ^MF https://t.co/lqRwSxGiEe
In Wellington, traffic heading north on State Highway 1 between Peka Peka to Ōtaki is congested.
UPDATE 12.00PM
— NZTA Wellington (@NZTAWgtn) April 18, 2019
Due to holiday congestion, northbound road users can expect delays between 45 and 60 minutes while travelling northbound between Peka Peka and Otaki. Plan your journey accordingly allowing extra time . ^MF https://t.co/b2bIFS0BWS
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.
PLAN AHEAD: Expect heavy traffic on #SH1 southbound at Takanini TODAY from 6am-5pm. Check: https://t.co/tMhQ28qKDP to get tips relevant to your Easter/Anzac travels and enjoy a hassle-free drive to your destination. ^MF pic.twitter.com/57TOdXQtfB
— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) April 18, 2019
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.
PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY JOURNEY: As predicted traffic is heavy northbound & southbound out of Auckland. Further north, expect heavy congestion in Puhoi and again through Warkworth and Wellsford. More predictions here: https://t.co/tMhQ28qKDP. ^MF pic.twitter.com/ll08rP3Nmn
— NZTA Akld & Nthlnd (@NZTAAkl) April 18, 2019
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.
