Auckland commuters are facing almost double the travel times due to damage on the Harbour Bridge.
On Wednesday morning motorists heading to the city from Silverdale (usually a 17 minute drive) could expect a travel time of 38 minutes.
Albany to Manukau more than doubled, from 24 minutes to 48 and those coming from Helensville could expect an additional half hour on their journey.
The bridge damage came after 127km/h winds caused a truck crash earlier this month, damaging the bridge's structure. A temporary fix has been in place since, allowing three lanes to be open in each direction.
New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) is recommending all motorists avoid the bridge entirely where possible.
"Consider working from home or use public transport if possible," a statement on its website says.
"If you must travel, avoid peak times in the morning and evening and allow extra time."
There is no end date on the warning, but work is expected to begin on Saturday night to install a permanent 22.7m beam on the bridge.
Loads will be tested next week, meaning it could be back to normal for Auckland drivers by next Friday.
NZTA transport services general manager Brett Gliddon says the permanent fix for the bridge is tracking well.
Subject to the manufacturing being complete this week and the final checks being complete, and the weather being good at the weekend, we are planning to make a closure of the Harbour Bridge southbound on Saturday night into Sunday morning to install that strut," he told Newshub.
