Multiple roadworks south of Whangarei last week did more than damage vehicle windscreens and delay travel.
For Whangarei resident May Pike, it meant she and other guests missed her granddaughter's wedding in Waipu on Friday after having to navigate a a trail of traffic that snaked up to 22km.
Many Northland glass companies have had no break since last Thursday repairing and replacing windscreens which were chipped and cracked by loose stones on State Highway 1 in the 100km/h zone from Whangarei to Mata.
But the trip from Whangarei to Waipu that normally takes 30 minutes took Mrs Pike and other guests two hours. The New Zealand Transport Agency has apologised for the delays, and committed to not carrying them out at peak times, but that hasn't satisfied Northern Advocate readers who have commented on the traffic jam - and repair costs - on its website northernadvocate.co.nz and Facebook page.
The wedding was scheduled for 3pm and Mrs May, her daughter, son-in-law and his son left Whangarei at 1.45pm but didn't arrive at their destination until 3.45pm. She said the bride and groom's families held off the wedding as long as they could but couldn't wait any longer.