The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT) are urging people to check the latest information before travelling in the city tomorrow, Saturday, September 13, with a protest expected to result in significant disruptions.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge will be fully closed to traffic southbound between Esmonde Road and Fanshawe Street from 9am tomorrow for a number of hours.
A full closure of southbound lanes is required to ensure the separation of vehicles and pedestrians for safety.
Police are leading the operational planning and response to the protest.
NZTA and AT will be supporting police to facilitate safety and manage the impact on the surrounding transport network.
People who are travelling southbound to the city on Saturday are asked to avoid the bridge or consider delaying their journey.
Heavy congestion and delays are expected on both sides of the bridge as well as other state highways and local roads and people are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Northbound lanes across the bridge will be reduced from four lanes to three.
All vehicles, especially freight, are recommended to use the Western Ring Route on State Highways 16 and 18.
The southbound closure of the Auckland Harbour Bridge will cause knock-on effects across Auckland’s transport network and there may be ongoing congestion and delays after the protest has finished.
Public transport users should expect significant delays and cancellations to bus routes NX1, NX2, 82, 95B, 95C, 923, 97R, and 97B throughout the morning and afternoon.
Some buses may terminate their routes at either side of the bridge with potential detours being enacted across affected services.
NZTA and AT will be closely monitoring the impact on the city’s network through their joint Auckland Traffic Operations Centre, and will provide real-time updates for road users on any delays or disruptions.
They encourage all travellers to check their real time channels including the NZTA Journey Planner and NZTA Auckland social media pages on the day before travelling.
Any public transport impacts will be advised via the AT Mobile app and website at.govt.nz/.
Inspector Stefan Sagar, Relieving Waitematā Police District Commander, says police are reminding the public to expect significant delays on parts of the Auckland motorway network tomorrow.
A police operation is monitoring protest activity in which organisers intend on marching across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The protestors will be gathering at Onepoto Domain, on the North Shore, before travelling south towards Victoria Park in central Auckland.
“This will begin around 9am and will carry on to the afternoon,” Sagar says.
“It is expected this protest activity will cause significant disruption to southbound traffic crossing over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
“Police advise motorists to adhere to NZ Transport Agency advice and use detours, including SH16 and 18, if possible.
“Police planning, along with our transport partner agencies, is well advanced.
“Our role concerns ensuring any protest activity is safe and lawful.
“Large numbers of pedestrians accessing the Harbour Bridge pose significant safety risks to themselves, our police staff, and other motorists.
“Weather may also pose safety risks to pedestrians in that area.
“While police respect the right to protest, we have reiterated safety concerns to organisers as part of ongoing communication.
“Our expectation is that protestors move safely and efficiently on the day.”
Police are deploying significant resource to the operation and will be highly visible across the area.
They understand that will cause disruption to the public’s travel and they’re working closely with their transport partner agencies as part of the operation.
Their focus is on ensuring everyone’s safety. As part of the operation, police will be utilising traffic management across the route to minimise expected disruption and to keep everyone safe.
Any issues that occur across the protest route will be dealt with appropriately by police staff.
