Part of State Highway 1 has reopened after a boat blocked all northbound lanes after falling off of a trailer this afternoon.
The incident after the Oteha Valley Rd off-ramp near Albany caused all northbound lanes to close for a little over an hour, resulting in significant delays.
Police were notified of the blockage at 1.45pm. Traffic was being diverted via Oteha Valley Rd.
"Expect residual northbound delays to ease," the NZTA said just before 3pm.
A witness who was two cars behind the crash with her children told 1News that the ute driver went to change lanes, got the speed wobbles, and lost control.
“It was almost like it was in slow motion. The boat flipped off the trailer, thankfully it didn’t flip the ute,” said Richelle Wilkinson.
With the help of eight others, Wilkinson helped to push the trailer off the motorway as it was jammed under the ute.
“After I had processed what had happened, I jumped in and tried to help as much as I could.
“Another guy hooked his ute up to the boat to clear the road for people to pass.”
It comes after NZTA warned that motorway lanes heading south of the city were already filling up.
"Auckland traffic is already heavy on #SH1 at midday with plenty of people getting away south for the long weekend," a spokesperson said.
"Allow extra time if you’re on the Southern Motorway, heading south between Manukau and Papakura. Please be patient and take extra care."
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