The NZ Transport Agency says it plans to have State Highway 1 on the Brynderwyn Hills in Northland re-opened to all vehicles at the end of this week weather permitting.
“We were hopeful yesterday of possibly getting one lane open sometime this afternoon, but detailed inspections today indicate that the under-slip is a lot bigger than we originally thought,” says the Transport Agency’s Regional Journey Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult.
“We have removed the loose soil and are starting work to stabilise this section of the highway that encroaches into the southbound lane hanging over an 8 metre drop. It’s just not safe enough to open even just one lane to light traffic.
“Our teams are working in a challenging live slip environment from dawn to dusk to open this part of the state highway as we know this is critical to Northland,” says Ms Hori-Hoult.
There are two alternative routes available for all traffic travelling between Northland and Auckland. People driving north are advised to use SH12 and Paparoa-Oakleigh Road. Those heading south can travel through Waiapu and Mangawhai. The detours will add between 30 and 40 minutes to travel timers.
View here(external link) for the map of detour routes.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Auckland/Northland Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T: 09 928 8720
M: 027 213 7616
E: ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
