Cyclone Gabrielle: Northland road repair bill to top $120m - mayor

By RNZ

Motorists from outside Northland are being asked not to travel to the region today, as crews work to repair flood-damaged roads.

Thunderstorms swept through Mangawhai at the border with Auckland on Friday, with floodwaters stranding hundreds of people.

They were escorted to State Highway 1 yesterday because of damage on many local roads between Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Waipu.

Cove Rd from Mangawhai to Waipu is no longer available as a detour route - as it has been - until further notice.

The Kaiwaka to Mangawhai Road is closed near the Hilltop Rd intersection and Devich Rd is closed at the bridge.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says light vehicles can use SH12 and the Paparoa-Oakleigh Road to get to Whangārei but heavy vehicles must use SH12 and SH14 between Brynderwyn and Whangārei (via Dargaville) only.

AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND THUNDERSTORM EVENT – UPDATE 8:30AM, SUN 26 FEB#SH16 has RE-OPENED following slips and flooding. #SH1 Brynderwyn to Waipu remains CLOSED until further notice. Light vehicles detour via SH12, Paparoa Oakleigh Rd, Mangapai Rd. More: https://t.co/b2XUYhIT79 ^CS pic.twitter.com/6IFqUZROMg

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 25, 2023

Road crews are trying to make as much progress as possible in the area before the working week begins, with some local roads expected to reopen later today.

SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills and Waipu remains closed due to large slips, and motorists from outside the region are being asked not to travel to Northland, unless it is necessary.

Mayor pleads for help from central government

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle to roads in Northland was significant and would cost at least $120 million to fix.

“We would just love central government to come to the party and actually get the Brynderwyns back open or even to - what we would really love - is a four-laning between Whangārei and Auckland.”

A slip on Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd, near Hilltop Rd, in Northland. Photo / Supplied / WSP

The additional rain on Friday night meant costs would continue to rise, he said.

“We are also realistic that there may be some more damage happening to the roading network; we have got the contractors out there at the moment, the team’s out there keeping a close eye on the roading,” he said.

“But it is a major issue when you constantly have more and more rain.”

Cocurullo said road crews were working around the clock to restore access.

- RNZ