Media Release

26 April 2012

NZ Transport Agency – Auckland Regional Office

Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway Re-Opens After Bridge Strike

The NZ Transport Agency says the Royal Road overbridge and a section of the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) in Auckland have re-opened after the bridge was hit by the boom of a crane being transported on a truck.

The closures, which affected the two city-bound lanes of the motorway, were in place for about two-and-a-half hours while NZTA experts inspected damage to the overbridge after the midday crash. A 30kph speed restriction is in force on the bridge until a more detailed inspection is completed.

“The closures did cause disruption on local roads, and we’re pleased to have everything opened again in time for this evening’s peak,” says the NZTA’s Traffic Operations Manager, Kathryn Musgrave. “We are grateful for the co-operation we’ve had from drivers during the closure. While the overbridge is safe to use, people should observe the 30kph speed restriction.”

The Royal Road overbridge is 4.8 metres above the motorway. The maximum legal height limit on New Zealand highways is 4.25 metres.

Westbound lanes on the Northwestern Motorway were not affected by the crash.

ENDS

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