22 March 2016 | AUCKLAND & NORTHLAND

Plan ahead as long hot summer will add to Easter traffic

The long hot summer is likely to add to the usual holiday weekend traffic on Auckland and Northland highways this Easter.

The NZ Transport Agency says planning ahead for your Easter travels will help motorists stay safe and avoid delays.

“We’re expecting large numbers of people will make the most of the continued warm weather and head out of the main centres to our usual holiday destinations, and that’s going to make queues and delays inevitable,” says Brett Gliddon, the Transport Agency’s Auckland and Northland Highway Manager.

“If everyone plans their travel in advance, and thinks about the best time to travel to avoid delays, it will ease stress and reduce the need to hurry, making for a safer and more enjoyable journey.”

The Agency’s travel team has put together maps to show the peak holiday traffic times to help people decide the best time to travel to avoid the queues. More details can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/hotspots, and attached.

“We would really like to thank motorists for using our previous holiday hot spot information to help plan their travel. However the hot spot predictions, which are based on previous congestion times, should be used alongside real time travel information,” says Mr Gliddon.

“We will have a range of technology and teams of people working throughout the Easter break to monitor traffic flows and incidents on the state highway network to provide up to the minute and accurate information on the best times to travel and less congested routes.”

While most works across Auckland and Northland will be on hold throughout the Easter weekend, motorists still need to be aware that speed restrictions, closed road shoulders and reduced lanes will still be in place at some major construction projects. Motorists are advised to take plenty of care through these areas.

Work will continue on the Brynderwyn Hills project.

TRAFFIC HOT SPOTS

Heading out of Auckland the traffic will start to build on SH1 in both directions from about 3pm on Thursdayafternoon through to the evening as people try to make an early getaway.

It’s likely to remain heavy for much of the day on Friday especially between Puhoi and Wellsford and on State Highway 2 to Coromandel.

“Weather will play a big role in determining the busiest peaks for people returning home again, but based on previous years, traffic is heaviest from mid-morning Monday and will remain busy through the day.”

TIPS FOR PLANNING AHEAD

Predicted peak times can change based on incidents, weather and even driver behaviour so using real time travel information is the best way to get up to date and accurate information about email notifications about road and traffic conditions. Check our Traffic and Travel pages at www.nzta.govt.nz.

Or plan ahead by signing up to www.onthemove.govt.nz to get email notifications about road and traffic conditions on the route you plan to travel.

Don’t forget to check twitter and facebook for regular updates on delays, incidents and congestion hotspots.

Those planning to use the Northern Gateway Toll Road can also make the journey even more hassle free by prepaying their tolls at www.tollroad.govt.nz.

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