It's a nightmare commute for many Aucklanders heading home tonight

A truck blown sideways by a 127 kilometre gust of wind has damaged the Auckland Harbour Bridge superstructure.

A fix is expected to take days if not weeks - and in the meantime the four lanes of the centre span will remain closed.

Motorists are being warned congestion is inevitable - not just on the bridge, but on the rest of the road network.

People are being advised to work from home or consider alternative travel options in and out of the CBD..