Traffic on Auckland Harbour Bridge is gridlocked this afternoon, with large tailbacks stretching kilometres in both directions, after a serious crash blocked multiple lanes. 

Thousands are caught in the jam as the school holiday exodus begins from the city. 

Southbound traffic heading across the bridge towards the city on the Northern Motorway now stretches back to Wairau Valley. 

Northbound traffic is backed up to Ellerslie – meaning a 22km stretch of State Highway 1 is now heavily congested. 

Police said a person was critically injured after a collision between a truck and motorbike heading south over the bridge at about 1.40pm 

“One person has been transported to hospital in a critical condition. Two southbound lanes are closed and motorists are being advised to expect delays or to postpone travel.” 

The Serious Crash Unit had been notified. 

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Three lanes on the city-bound side were blocked, though one has now reopened. 

A northbound lane that was previously closed has also reopened. 

The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi urged motorists to pass with care and expect delays. 

“People are advised to avoid the Auckland Harbour Bridge and use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18. 

“Once emergency services clear the scene, we will look to open another southbound lane when it is safe.” 

All northbound lanes remain open. 

Traffic is building fast and beginning to back up in both directions. 

Traffic is backed up for 3.5km northbound and about 4km city-bound, according to Google Maps. 

The queue stretches back to Spaghetti Junction city-side. 

The crash has also affected traffic on Onewa Rd, with a long queue forming to get on to the motorway. 

Red lines show where traffic is heavy across Auckland as of 2.40pm. Photo / Google. 

This story was originally published on the Herald, here