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Supplied
Auckland Transport closed the Harbour Bridge to all traffic on Sunday afternoon.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge was shut on Sunday due to severe wind gusts, as the North Island braces for the arrival Cyclone Gabrielle.
Waka Kotahi said with winds forecast to continue gusting at up to 130kmh or higher throughout the day, it would not reopen the bridge until it was safe to do so.
“The winds from this cyclone are both severe and highly unpredictable, and driving on the bridge in these conditions is simply not safe,” said Waka Kotahi National Emergency Response Team spokesperson Mark Owen said on Sunday.
Motorists were advised to delay journeys or detour via SH18/SH16 (the Western Ring Route).
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* Many roads still closed across North Island after slips, flooding
* Motorists urged to avoid non-essential travel as wild weather causes road closures
* Flights and ferries cancelled, towns cut off as weather causes chaos for transport network
Auckland Transport had advised that all bus services would hold their position at a safe place until further notice.
It warned residents to expect bus delays, detours and cancellations.
The road closure was the second in the north on Sunday due to incoming Cyclone Gabrielle.
SH11 through Paihia was closed earlier due to flooding between Te Karuwha Pde and Kings Rd but has since reopened.
A portion of road on State Highway 29 near Omanawa in the Bay of Plenty is blocked after a two-vehicle crash. Police were called about 4.30pm.
STUFF
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins advised people to be prepared for Cyclone Gabrielle, during a visit to the Auckland Transport Operations Centre on Sunday.
Waka Kotahi’s website is being updated with all road closures.
The section of SH1 Brynderwyn Hills to Waipu was closed overnight from 6pm on Sunday due to the red heavy rain warning and a red strong wind warning that had been issued for Northland.
“Due to the amount of rainfall today and forecasted overnight, and the risk of slips, the decision has been made to close the road overnight to keep everyone, including our crews, safe,” the agency said.
The road may be closed earlier if deemed unsafe.
Detours were in place overnight for light vehicles via Mangawhai and Waipu, and for heavy vehicles via SH12 and SH14.
Dalton Ward/Supplied
Aerial video of the slip on State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai on the Coromandel Peninsula. Video first published January 31 2023.
Waka Kotahi advised people in all areas affected by the predicted heavy rain and strong winds to avoid any non-urgent travel.
Other road closures affecting motorists in the north include SH1 through the Mangamuka Gorge due to multiple large slips and dropouts
In the Coromandel, SH25A Kopu to Hikuai remained closed due to a full road collapse at a large washout location, in January.
In the Waikato SH23 from Raglan to (SH39) Whatawhata remained closed due to a slip.
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