Commuters heading into central Auckland this morning will face extra delays with a major road still closed, Auckland Transport is warning.
Victoria St has been closed off after a panel fell off a building. Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson
Victoria St West between Nelson Street and Hobson Street was closed yesterday when a panel fell off an apartment complex. The building was cordoned off and assessed by an engineer and people are being asked to keep away from the area.
Motorists are advised to use public transport if possible, or be prepared for delays around the key central thoroughfare.
Some buses may have to detour from their scheduled routes.
The building on the corner of Nelson St and Victoria St, which lost a panel, closing Victoria Street. Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson
Traffic backed up on Nelson St in Auckland after Victoria Street was closed when a panel fell of a building. Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson
Ian Harris, from the building's body corporate, said the building was being reclad and the panel fell into an area that had already been cordoned off.
Engineers are trying to get another crane in to hoist construction crews up the side of the building to secure the panels.
"We have been talking with the abseil team about throwing a net over the side of the building just to prevent anything coming off.
"I'm not sure that will happen - that is a back up plan - but the intention now is to fix off and secure those panels as quick as we possibly can."
In more disruption for commuters, this morning, Auckland's Stanley Bay ferry service was out of action this morning because a boat has broken down.
Passengers will need to take a bus to Devonport and get the ferry from there.