UPDATED 5.10PM: The New Zealand Zealand Transport Agency is advising motorists the Mirrielees Road onramp to Takitimu Drive has been reopened.

The onramp was blocked after a truck lost a load of decking timber that had not been secured properly shortly before 3pm.

The NZTA and police are thanking motorists for their patience this afternoon.

EARLIER:

Access to the harbor bridge is blocked from Mirrielees Road and Dive Crescent for at least the next 45 minutes while a truck load of timber is cleared from the road.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion expects the on-ramp to be clear before peak hour traffic, but is asking motorists to avoid the area in the meantime.

'Port traffic is being diverted around Marsh Street, Chapel Street then onto the harbor bridge that way.

But at this stage that will be closed for probably three quarters of an hour.”

A forklift is being used to clear the timber.

Sergeant Wayne Hunter at the scene, says the truck's load of decking timber wasn't properly secured.

'This one's been down the port, loaded up with timber which hasn't been secured properly,” says Wayne.

'As he's turned round the corner here a strop has broken, it's caused the other ones to fail and the whole lot's fallen off.”

There will be an infringement notice.

Supplied Photo