Video captured of the Raio tributary stream and the culvert being washed out. / Supplied by Nicholas Dowman
The top of the Far North will be connected to the rest of the country from 3pm with State Highway One set to reopen then after a washout closed the road last Friday.
The NZ Transport Agency said the road will reopen to two lanes of traffic and pedestrians at3pm today. Local kaumatua performed a karakia to bless the road at midday.
"The road rebuild has been an awesome effort by our crews," NZTA's Northland System Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult said.
"We've had a good run of fine weather since the washout but our crews have had to work in difficult ground conditions 5m below road level.
"They've worked as quickly as safely possible to restore the highway for our northern communities."
The original plan was to reopen on tomorrow, but there was significant progress yesterday as trucks brought in about 2000 cubic metres of material to cover the drain and fill the hole up to road level.
"The route across the washout area will be unsealed and work is continuing on the culvert either side of the road today. There will be stop/go traffic management and drivers can expect some delays,'' Hori-Hoult said.
"There will be no work over the long weekend but work on the site will continue after Easter for about two weeks until the road is sealed.
"Last Friday's heavy rain also caused flooding and road damage further north of the washout so crews will be moving on to inspect, repair and clean up as required, she said.
"The Transport Agency thanks the local communities and businesses affected by the road closure. We understand the frustrations and challenges it's caused and we've worked as hard as possible to reopen the road and provide a permanent solution to the drainage challenges in the area," Hori-Hoult said.
The Transport Agency also thanked Summit Forests for allowing public vehicles to use its private track through the forest to bypass the washout. It also thanked the police - particularly Simon Wihongi - for managing the morning and evening convoys. More than 150 vehicles joined the convoys for the forty minute journey over three days.
The Transport Agency also thanks local authorities, emergency services and the Ministry of Civil Defence as they worked closely to ensure the welfare of local communities and visitors.
