9 Jun 2024

Tree falls onto Auckland motorway

2:41 pm on 9 June 2024
A tree that fell on the Southwestern Motorway in Onehunga.

A tree that fell on the Southwestern Motorway in Onehunga. Photo: NZTA / Waka Kotahi

Two out of three lanes on State Highway 20 in Onehunga have reopened after a tree fell overnight.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said a tree fell onto the Southwestern Motorway in Onehunga about 1.30am.

It closed the highway between the Neilson Street off-ramp and Hillsborough Road on-ramp.

At 7.30am emergency services were called to a crash at the fallen tree.

The crash was cleared by 8am, and a NZTA spokesperson said two out of three lanes on the highway had reopened after 2pm, as crews worked to remove the tree.

A witness told RNZ northbound traffic was blocked up from Onehunga, over the Māngere bridge as far as Māngere, with traffic at a "complete standstill across all lanes".

NZTA advised drivers to detour via the Neilson St off-ramp, Onehunga Harbour Rd, Onehunga Mall Rd, Princes St, Beachcroft Ave, Queenstown Rd, Herd Rd, and Hillsborough Rd before getting back onto SH20 via the Hillsborough on-ramp.

They said motorists should allow extra time for their journey.