Traffic gridlock could get worse this afternoon and high winds have repeatedly closed the Auckland Harbour Bridge. 

Traffic is banked for kilometres north and south of the bridge as a result of lane closures and restrictions, with more expected. 

Speed restrictions are also in place. 

At 3pm Google Maps showed traffic banked north of the bridge as far as Smales Farm for those heading south. 

Those heading north were facing gridlock from Newmarket. 

The strong winds have forced the bridge’s closure twice so far this afternoon. 

The first lasted nine minutes from 12:45pm-12:54pm today and a second closure stretched 16 minutes from 1:46pm-2:02pm. 

The gusts aren’t expected to ease until at least 5pm. 

“We are expecting there to be further lane closures and reduced speed limits until around 5pm due to high winds,” a NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman said. 

Police said the bridge reopened to two lanes straight after the first closure. 

Authorities closed traffic on Auckland's Harbour Bridge for nine minutes due to high winds from 12:45pm-12:54pm causing long traffic jams. Photo / Supplied