SH1 over Brynderwyns in Northland reopened both ways

State Highway One over the Brynderwyns opened in both directions on Friday morning, offering some relief for motorists

There’s some relief for motorists travelling State Highway 1 in Northland with the road over the Brynderwyns opened both ways on Friday – but it won’t last long, with the road to close again on April 17 for full repairs.

State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills opened at 8.35am on Friday in both directions for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle hit last month.

Waka Kotahi contractors worked through the night to prepare final road surfacing and line marking, allowing the road to open to traffic three hours earlier than anticipated. It means traffic will no longer have to detour through Waipū/Mangawhai, SH12 through Dargaville or the Oakleigh/Paparoa Highway

Trucking companies that operate in Northland are breathing a sigh of relief that the road is temporarily reopened in both directions.

National Road Carriers Association (NRC) Commercial Transport Specialist Paula Rogers said Northland members are very appreciative that the road across the Brynderwyn Hills is opening earlier than expected.

“The closure of State Highway 1 at the Brynderwyns has severely impacted the industry in terms of cost, time and productivity. NRC and our members support the planned closure in April because it is paramount remaining works are completed quickly. Otherwise, with winter on its way, we could see another lengthy closure,’’ Rogers said.

She said the disruption caused by the Brynderwyns closure highlighted the importance of having an alternative route between Auckland and Northland.

“An alternative route urgently needs to be put back on the table. The route through the Brynderwyns has served road users well for the past 50 plus years but with increased freight and passenger traffic between Auckland and Whangārei it is now not fit for purpose.”

Jacqui Hori-Hoult, Waka Kotahi regional manager maintenance and operations, said teams on the ground had been working extremely hard in difficult conditions to reopen the road as soon as possible.

“We know how crucial this route is for people in the region, and we’re thrilled to be able to open in both directions well ahead of the Easter holidays, ensuring that local road detours won’t have to bear the brunt of high volumes of holiday traffic.

“The team has put in a huge amount of mahi to get the road open in both directions and I am immensely proud of our people, contractors and consultants who have worked tirelessly over the past two months.”

Traffic management and a temporary speed limit will remain in place so that northbound and southbound traffic can travel in both directions in time for Easter, which will see an increase in vehicles travelling to and from Northland.

The road will then need to close in both directions from April 17 for two weeks to complete earthworks and drainage installation before permanently reopening the road in May.

Hori-Hoult said contractors had already cleared about three Olympic-sized swimming pools of material from the Brynderwyn Hills, with the equivalent of another 20 remaining to clear.

Up to seven teams are working through the site at any given time, clearing multiple slips and cutting tracks to access the top of the major slip.

Hori-Hoult said Waka Kotahi would continue to monitor the road and weather conditions, and it might be closed at short notice should conditions become unsafe.