Update, 12.23pm: All traffic lanes on Te Awanui Drive over the Tauranga Harbour Bridge are reported to be open again following an earlier vehicle breakdown.

Tauranga Transport Operations Centre says the traffic build up was due to a wheel coming off a car.

The road is now clear.

Earlier, 11.40am:  Motorists are reporting a traffic build up along Takitumu Drive in Tauranga on Saturday morning.

A SunLive reader says there appears to be a vehicle broken down, which is affecting traffic crossing the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, on Te Awanui Drive.

"It's in the Mount-bound lane," says the SunLive reader.

"I am heading from Mount Maunganui to Judea, and the traffic is running smoothly on our side. The traffic is built up from Elizabeth Street to the harbour bridge along Takitimu Drive for anyone heading to the Mount.

Police say they have received a report of a person losing a wheel on Te Awanui Drive, Mount Maunganui, around 10.55am.

Motorists are advised to expect delays.

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz