Easter traffic warning: Where will the hot spots be across New Zealand?

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Holidaymakers taking advantage of unrestricted travel over Easter have prompted warnings about traffic jams over the long weekend.

This time last year, New Zealand was in coronavirus alert level 4 lockdown, which meant only essential workers were allowed to travel.

Now Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is predicting the roads will be very busy over the 2021 Easter break, as holidaymakers make the most of being able to travel.

The Auckland/Waikato border is a hotspot for traffic, although it is not predicted to be as bad as when Auckland last went into alert level 3 lockdown, causing queues of up to eight hours.

On top of the heavy traffic, motorists also need to look out for changeable weather over Easter.

**READ MORE:

Easter in 2020 had empty highways, thanks to the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown.

* Waitangi Day: Drivers warned to plan ahead and expect delays this long weekend

Police say they will be out in force this Easter, to ensure motorists are keeping safe. (File photo)

* Main road to Far North to close again for slip repairs after brief opening over Christmas

In 2019, Easter traffic was busy, such as this congestion at Auckland’s SH1/SH20 interchange.

* Summer traffic: When our roads are expected to be busiest during the holidays

Waka Kotahi Auckland operations manager Rua Pani said those travelling need to plan ahead.

“Please be patient when driving this Easter, so everyone can relax and enjoy their holiday,” she said. “Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, there’s no need to rush.”

There will be showers spreading up the South Island on Friday. (File photo)

It is a message echoed by police, who plan to be out on the roads over Easter, targeting drivers who put themselves and others at risk.

Inspector Pete Jones, acting Director National Road Policing Centre, said drivers should make sure they are well rested, hydrated and have eaten before they get behind the wheel.

“Once you’re in the car, don’t speed, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt and be patient. There will be a lot of traffic on the road so be courteous and keep a safe following distance.”

Showers will turn to rain on the South Island’s west coast on Sunday. (File photo)

Police’s key message is to slow down, drive sober, wear a seatbelt, and minimise distractions, including cellphones.

Last year’s lockdown resulted in no road deaths over Easter, compared with four people dying in 2019.

Easter weekend weather

After a week when the weather included thunderstorms and heavy rain, the weekend weather is predicted to be more settled, although autumn rains will still impact some areas.

At Mangamuka on State Highway 1, south of Kaitaia, the pile wall supporting the road is nearly finished and work is under way to build a retaining wall above the road to restore it to two lanes.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said for Friday, the North Island will be mainly fine north of Taihape, although there will be some early-morning isolated showers in the Far North.

For the rest of the country, there will be a cool southerly change and showers spreading up the country from the south.

On Saturday, showers in the north and east of the North Island clear, and it is fine elsewhere in the North Island. The South Island is also mostly fine, although Westland will be cloudy with one or two showers, he said.

On Sunday, the North Island will be fine in the east, with partial clouds and one or two showers possible in other parts of the island, Corrigan said.

In the South Island’s west coast, showers will turn to rain late in the day, and there will also be rain in the far south for a time, but elsewhere will be mostly fine.

Monday is too far away to predict, Corringan said on Thursday afternoon.

Northland

At the very top of the country, Waka Kotahi will be opening State Highway 1 at Mangamuka Gorge over Easter, allowing a quicker journey to and from Kaitāia.

The road has been closed since July 2020 when severe flooding caused a number of slips.

The route will be open to light vehicles only from Easter Friday to Easter Monday (April 2 to 5) from 8am to 7pm. Vehicles will travel in one-way convoys about every 15 minutes.

The alternate route is through State Highway 10, through Doubtless Bay.

Northland system manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult said if the Easter convoys work well and there’s a demand, the road could open to convoys on most weekends after Easter.

Elsewhere in Northland, hotspots are predicted on State Highway 1 at Whangārei and Kawakawa, with the busiest times being Friday from 9.15am to 3pm, and Monday from 9.45am to 3.30pm.

With Pōkeno rpaidly growing, delays are predicted on SH2 between Pōkeno and Maramarua. (File photo)

Auckland

The roads north and south of Auckland are expected to be busy around Easter, and Rua Pani said motorists need to allow plenty of time.

The hotspots include SH1 through Puhoi, which is expected to be busiest northbound on Thursday from 2.30pm to 5.15pm, and Friday from 9.15am to 3.15pm.

Returning on Monday, the busiest times are expected to be between 10am and 4.30pm.

For those heading south from Auckland through Manukau on SH1, the busiest times are between 2pm and 6pm on Thursday, and between 10am and 2pm on Friday.

Returning on Monday, expect the motorway to be busiest from 1pm to 5pm.

“Congestion and delays are inevitable in peak times, but if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, the worst of the frustrations can be eased and everyone can concentrate on arriving safely at their destination,” Pani said.

Waikato

Heavy traffic is also expected through much of Waikato for Easter weekend, said Waka Kotahi Waikato system manager Cara Lauder.

Delays are predicted on State Highway 2 between Pōkeno and Maramarua, particularly heading east (toward the Coromandel Peninsula) for much of the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings, she said.

Westbound (toward Pōkeno), the worst delays are expected on Sunday afternoon and into the evening, and for much of the day on Monday.

Further delays are predicted on SH1, both north and south, between Tīrau and Karapiro throughout the weekend, particularly southbound on Thursday and Friday.

State Highway 25 is expected to be busy at Tairua, with the heaviest traffic expected to be heading north on Thursday between 1.30pm and 8.45pm, and Friday and Saturday through the middle of the day. Southbound, delays are predicted to be heaviest between 12.15pm and 4.15pm on Sunday, and 9.15am and 11.30am on Monday.

Tairua’s one-lane Pēpē Bridge will have three-way stop/go traffic management, to help reduce snarl-ups.

Bay of Plenty

Heavy traffic is also expected in the Bay of Plenty, according to Waka Kotahi Bay of Plenty system manager Rob Campbell.

Traffic will be diverted through Johnsonville to allow the tree removal. (File photo)

Motorists should be prepared for heavy traffic on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges, particularly heading east (toward Tauranga) on Thursday between midday and 6pm, Friday between 10.45am and 3.45pm, and for shorter periods on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

SH29 westbound (toward Waikato), traffic will be heaviest on Thursday and Sunday afternoons, and most of the day on Monday, he said.

SH2 between Paeroa and Waihī is expected to be busy heading east (toward Waihī) on Thursday afternoon, Friday between 10.30am and 4.15pm, from 10.30am until 3pm on Saturday and through the middle of the day on Sunday.

Westbound (toward Paeroa), the busiest times are expected to be between 10.15am and 3.45pm on Sunday, then again on Monday morning.

Motorists should also expect delays on SH2 between Katikati and Tauranga for much of the weekend, in both directions, Campbell said.

Taranaki

The only holdup in Taranaki is predicted on SH3 at Mount Messenger. Northbound traffic will be busiest on Friday from 11.45am to 4.30pm. Southbound traffic will be heaviest on Friday from 9.30am to 11.45am and Monday from 10.15am to 1pm.

Manawatū-Whanganui

SH2 at Norsewood, between Hastings and SH3 at Woodville, will be heaviest southbound on Friday from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and northbound on Monday from 10.30am to 1pm.

SH3 at Whanganui is expected to be busy eastbound on Friday from 10.45am to 2pm, and westbound on Monday from 11am to 12pm.

SH1 between Taihape and Waiōuru is predicted to be busiest northbound on Friday from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and southbound on Monday from 11am to 4.30pm.

Wellington

Kaikōura is still impacted by its 2016 earthquake but night closures will pause over Easter. (File photo)

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will use the Easter weekend to remove trees overhanging the southbound lanes on State Highway 1 at Johnsonville.

To enable the work to be carried out safely, SH1 will be closed to all southbound traffic, between the Johnsonville southbound off-ramp and Newlands southbound on-ramp, on Friday and Saturday from 7am to 12pm. Southbound traffic will detour through Johnsonville CBD.

The Kapiti Coast’s SH1 – between Peka Peka and Otaki – is predicted to be busy northbound on Thursday from 11.30am until 6pm, Friday from 9.30 to 2.15pm, and around the middle of the day on Saturday. Returning home, SH1 will be busy southbound from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, and 12pm to 6.15pm on Monday.

SH2 through Remutaka Hill is predicted to be busiest northbound on Thursday from 2.30pm to 6.30pm and on Friday from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Southbound traffic will be heaviest on Monday from 2.30pm to 5pm.

The Lewis Pass is expected to have busy periods over Easter. (File photo)

Tasman

While no roadworks are expected in the South Island over Easter, long-term storm repair sites like Tākaka Hill, SH60, will remain as single lane, managed with traffic signals.

SH60 at Golden Bay’s Motueka is also expected to be busy eastbound in the middle of the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and westbound Saturday 3pm to 5pm, Sunday 10.30am to 5pm, and Monday 10am to 12.15pm.

SH6 at Murchison is also predicted to be busy, with the southbound traffic being heaviest on Thursday from 10.30am to 6pm, as well as in the middle of the day on Sunday and Monday. Northbound traffic is expected to be busiest in the middle of the day on Friday and Saturday, plus Sunday from 11.15am to 6.45pm, and Monday from 12.30pm to 4.45pm.

Nelson and Marlborough

SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim is expected to be busy eastbound on Thursday from 10am to 4.30pm, and Friday from 9.15am to 11am. The traffic westbound is predicted to be heaviest on Saturday from 3.30 to 5.15pm, and Monday from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

SH63 at St Arnaud is expected to be busy northbound on Friday during the middle of the day, and southbound on Thursday from 9.45am to 2.15pm, and Monday from 10am to 11.45am.

Canterbury

In Kaikōura, there will be no night closures at the canopy rockfall protection project, on SH1 south of Kaikōura from Thursday through to Monday.

From 7pm to 11.30pm on Monday, there will be closures of up to 30 minutes, with traffic being cleared in both directions after each closure. The usual night road closure timetable will resume from 11.30pm.

SH1 at Kaikōura is predicted to be busiest northbound on Thursday from 12.45pm to 2.30pm, Friday from 9.45 to 2.45pm, and Saturday from 1.30pm to 3pm.

SH1 at Waipara, north of Christchurch, is expected to be heavy both north and southbound for most of Easter weekend, especially around the middle of the day.

SH1 between Ashburton and Christchurch is predicted to have heavy traffic northbound on Thursday from 4pm to 5.30pm, Sunday from 2.15pm to 5.15pm, and Monday 2.30pm to 5.30pm. The southbound traffic will be heavy Thursday 2pm to 6.15pm, Friday 9am to 11.15am, Saturday 10am to 1.45pm, and Sunday 10.15 to 11.45am.

The Lewis Pass, SH7, will be busiest westbound on Thursday from 10.30am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 11.30am and Saturday from 10.45am to 1.30pm. Eastbound traffic will be heaviest in the middle of the day on Sunday, and Monday from 12.15pm to 3.15pm.

SH79 at Geraldine is expected to be busiest westbound on Thursday, from 11am to 6.30pm, as well as around the middle of the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For the return journey, eastbound traffic will be busy on Sunday afternoon and Monday from 2pm to 4.45pm.

Arthur's Pass, SH73, is predicted to be busiest westbound on Thursday from 10.45am to 6pm, as well as during the middle of the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Eastbound traffic is expected to be busiest on Sunday from 1.15pm to 4pm, and Monday from 2.45pm to 4.30pm.

SH1 at Timaru is predicted to be busy southbound on Thursday from 2.45pm to 5pm, Friday from 10.15am to 12pm, and Saturday from 9.45am to 3.45pm. The northbound journey will be busiest on Saturday from 10.45am to 4.15pm, Sunday from 12.15p,m to 3.15pm, and Monday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Elsewhere in the South Island, SH6 at Franz Josef Glacier is predicted to be busy, with heavy southbound traffic on Monday from 8.45am to 1.45pm.