Road link to the winterless north hit by another slip

The reopening of the Brynderwyn Hills SH1 road link is once again on hold following another major slip at Kauri Tree Corner. It was due to re-open on May 13. The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has geotechnical experts assessing the situation but cannot yet say when the route will reopen.

The main thoroughfare to Northland was initially damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle last year. It reopened for a time over summer but has been closed for repairs since mid-February.

Last week another section of the hillside gave way, taking a swathe of trees with it. This has further delayed the reopening of the main highway in the area. At this point SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills is expected to carry traffic again “ahead of winter”. 

The closure impacts on all businesses in Northland. Traffic is forced to take a diversion from Kaiwaka, out to the east coast, rejoining SHI again after Waipu township. That adds 14km (20min) to a journey from Auckland to Whangarei. 

The detour is also bad for goods haulage with truckies having to take an alternative route, using the Paparoa-Oakleigh Road. That adds at least as much time to a journey north (21km extra, roughly half an hour added drive time). The road is somewhat quieter, however, than the diversion for light traffic….apart from the trucks. 

Some truckies cannot afford to use the diversion if they are on fixed term contracts. 

What folks up north want, especially the business sector, is a four-lane expressway extending from Warkworth to Whangarei. That’s evidently in the long-term plan of the coalition government.

One business doing rather nicely on the eastern diversion is the Cove Cafe at Waipu Cove. It is right across the road from the beach, and a welcome stop for some not familiar with the area. Most businesses up north, however, just want a return to normality on the roads.