Easter holidaymakers are being advised by the NZ Transport Agency to drive to the conditions and to take extreme care for safe travel in the wake of the storms that battered Auckland and Northland.
Winds gusted up to 98kph on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, there was surface flooding on sections of the city’s motorway network, and debris littered rural state highways in both regions. The storm also caused damage, power outages and disrupted travel across Auckland city.
“We would encourage people going on holiday to do most of their driving during daylight hours when there’s more visibility, particularly for those travelling on unfamiliar rural roads,” says the Transport Agency’s National Journey Manager Kathryn Musgrave.
“Although the worst of the storm has passed, there is still a risk of trees or branches loosened by the strong winds being a hazard for drivers – particularly at night.
“Highways and roads will be a lot busier than usual, and we would ask people to lower their speed, increase their following distance and drive with headlights on for safer travel.”
Mrs Musgrave says Transport Agency maintenance crews have been busy in the Auckland and Northland regions clearing highways of storm damage.
“All our highways remain open and there’s no one particular area of concern in our regions because of the storm, but it is a case of being careful and alert at all times everywhere for safe Easter travel.”
Additional travel information is available at:-
Highway information: www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or 0800 4HIGHWAYS
Planning a specific route: www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link)
Northland highways/roads: 0800 111655
Planning safe holidays: www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/around-nz/holidays.html(external link)
Auckland public transport: www.at.govt.nz(external link)
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Auckland/Northland Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T: 09 928 8720
M: 027 213 7616
E: ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
