SH1 closed over the Brynderwyn Hills due to overnight slips

A deluge of heavy rain in Northland overnight has seen a number of “small” slips close State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills.

New Zealand Transport Agency said the road was “fully closed” in both directions due to a slip covering lanes, and did not have a time frame for reopening the road.

“Overnight there was a small slip in the Brynderwyn Hills and stop/go control was put in place while this was quickly cleared,” a spokesperson said.

“Around 10.30am another slip happened at a different location and this has covered both lanes.”

The agency said the road is currently closed while contractors work to clear the slip.

“We have been advised by our council partners that Paparoa Oakley Road is unsubtle for freight at this time as there has been a significant under slip on the road,” the agency said.

Lighter vehicles are advised to use Cove Road in the meantime, while heavy vehicles are asked to detour via SH12 and SH14.

“We will continue to monitor all of the routes and provide updates frequently. Our main priority is keeping people safe but we will work as quickly as we can to provide updates and get the road open.”

Updates on road conditions were available on NZTA Waka Kotahi’s Journey Planner tool.

The closure comes after the official re-opening of SH1 Brynderwyns just last month, following 18 months of disruption.

Two fresh slips in April delayed the reopening from the originally planned May 13, and bumped up the project cost to $84 million.

NZTA Northland recovery project manager Mark Ware said at the time more than 900 people had worked on the site day and night, “in all sorts of conditions”, to get the road open.