16 June 2014 | NZ Transport Agency - Auckland

King tide and wind warning for Auckland motorways

Some low-lying sections of the Auckland Motorway network are at risk of flooding tonight because of a king tide and strong winds and the NZ Transport Agency advises people to use extreme care.

“We will do everything we can to keep motorways open, but they will be closed and traffic diverted if there is a risk to the safety of road users,” says the Transport Agency’s acting Highways Manager Steve Mutton.

Areas at risk from flooding are the causeway on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) and the Northern Motorway (SH1) approaches to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

High tide in the Waitemata Harbour is at 10.09pm. The tide is expected to peak half a metre higher than normal, a tidal situation that will be aggravated by strong northerly winds.

“Usually with a king tide, the Northwestern cycleway floods but the situation could be made worse tonight by the impact of strong wind from the north on the height of the waves. We will use our electronic signs on the motorways to keep people informed about driving conditions, but we would advise them to either avoid travel when the tide peaks around ten o’clockor to take extreme care if they do have to be on the roads,” Mr Mutton says.

Local roads in many coastal areas of Auckland will also be affected by the tides and wind. ENDS

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