NZTA completes Brynderwyn Hills resurfacing early, second closure cancelled

NZTA road crews have finished work on the Brynderwyns early, meaning the highway is fully open for summer.

Hard-working road crews and a little help from “the weather gods” have ensured the Brynderwyn Hills won’t need to close this weekend.

Roadworks on SH1 at the Brynderwyns have been completed ahead of schedule, meaning the second planned closure on November 20 to 23 is no longer required.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi [NZTA] said the Brynderwyns are now “fully open” and the recovery works project is complete.

NZTA Northland system manager Steve Matene said the early finish was thanks to “an outstanding effort” from crews on the ground.

“Despite heavy rain early in the closure, the teams worked day and night with a carefully co-ordinated plan to keep everything on track.

“Their commitment meant we could reopen safely ahead of schedule, avoiding a second super weekend closure.”

NZTA planned to close the Brynderwyns over two, four-day “super weekends” in November while resurfacing works were carried out.

The vital transport link was shut in both directions from November 13 to 16 while detours were in place along the Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd, Cove Rd via Mangawhai and Waipu and SH12/SH14.

The resurfacing work included a full-width asphalt surface, reinstated passing lanes and the return of the 80km/h speed limit.

Northland MP Grant McCallum said it was “great news for Northland that they’ve managed to do the final sealing in one weekend”.

McCallum thanked all the road workers who did a great job to get it finished, along with the “weather gods for playing ball”.

Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said it’s “great news”.

“It was always the intention if they got good weather and a good run at it.

“Hats off to NZTA for being really aware of the needs of Northlanders.”

The National Road Carriers Association took to social media to express its “sincerest gratitude to everyone involved for delivering these works efficiently, safely, and ahead of schedule”.

“This outcome is greatly appreciated by the freight industry and all road users.”

Delivering the work involved:

• 160 people on the ground
• 4500 hours worked over four days
• 3800 tonnes of asphalt applied
• 115 round trips in total to get the asphalt to the site, adding up to nearly 28,000km travelled.

Matene said to make the most of the full closure, nine different crews also completed maintenance tasks that would have normally required manual traffic control.

The work involved vegetation control, removing litter, drainage maintenance, guardrail repairs, wire rope repairs, retaining wall inspections and sign replacements and cleaning.

Drivers are reminded to still take care over the Brynderwyns as people adjust to the changes.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.