UPDATE 4.09pm: A SunLive reader says the road is clearing after a truck breakdown caused a traffic jam stretching from Hewletts Road to Elizabeth Street.

"I had an easy run home. The traffic is flowing now and not jammed up," says the reader.

EARLIER 2.24pm: A broken down truck is causing a traffic jam which stretches from Hewletts Road to Elizabeth Street.

The breakdown is located at the intersection of Hewletts Road and Totara Street, east bound, according to a Tauranga City Council spokesperson.

"Traffic is backing up past the Chapel Street overpass and back toward Elizabeth Street. Police are in attendance."

"We are trying to get WestLink on scene for traffic management, but due to ATOC being so busy we are unable to get them on the phone."

At this stage, there is no estimate when the truck will be moved or the lane will be cleared.

One SunLive reader says it took "30 minutes" to get from the Drive Crescent on-ramp to Newton Street.

Another SunLive reader says traffic is blocked on SH29A near the Maungatapu roundabout, as motorists try to find alternative routes to avoid the Hewletts Road traffic jam.

According to Google Maps, the traffic jam is backing up to Elizabeth Street.

Image: Google Maps.

SunLive is working on gathering more information and will provide an update when possible.