Road works slow traffic heading back to Auckland

People heading back to Auckland today will face traffic disruptions on road and rail when they return to work tomorrow. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Holidaymakers heading back to Auckland for a return to work tomorrow face traffic disruptions on road and rail.

New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Anthony Frith said traffic would be heavy on State Highways today as people returned to Auckland.

He said overnight closures of the Southern Motorway would not affect commuters as road works would have finished at 6am today.

Auckland Transport spokesman Daryl McIntosh said the volume of traffic should still be down and the impact minimised.

"January has low traffic levels which is why a number of roadworks happen at this time. However, drivers should expect some delays," he said.

Traffic has been reduced to one lane each way on Auckland's Quay St to the end of March as the road is dug up for cables to be laid and a roading upgrade.

For people heading back to work on trains, the Eastern Line and Southern Line south of Otahuhu will remain closed until January 17, to prepare the Auckland network for electrification.

Work continues on Auckland's motorways with the Victoria Park Tunnel and Newmarket Connection Viaduct Replacement projects, the Harbour Bridge maintenance and the SH20/1 Motorway Connection project in Manukau.

Other major road work takes place on Kepa Rd, Mission Bay, to February 7; at Greenlane Rd East (January 21 to 28); and at Alpers Ave, Newmarket, where major repairs continue to January 25.