SH1 Brynderwyn Hills recovery and enabling works

9 February 2024

Detour routes confirmed for SH1 Brynderwyn Hills closure

Yesterday NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi confirmed the detour routes for the three scenic routes to access Northland during the closure later this month.

The alternative routes are similar to those used during previous closures but will have increased signage and wayfinding to help people navigate these detours.

Alternative scenic routes

• Cove Road detour- suggested for light vehicles 
• Paparoa Oakleigh Road detour- no access for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV)
• SH 12/14 detour- suggested for heavy vehicles, HMPV must use this route

Some detour routes are local roads and may be used by pedestrians, people on bikes, cars and trucks so we ask everyone to drive to the conditions and share the road with care.

Please allow extra time for travel during the closure and plan your journey before setting out.

Fill site preparation works in the Brynderwyn Hills

Preparation work on track for SH1 Brynderwyn Hills closure

Underslips are slips that occur on the downhill side of the road. They don’t always directly affect the road’s surface but pose a risk if we don’t fix them. The underslips in the Brynderwyn Hills may not survive the next severe weather event.

Our crews are hard at work preparing fill sites that will be used during the closure. Fill site A is one location that will hold the earth made from the large cuts into the hillside. These cuts will move the road towards the stable earth of the hill, away from the underslips.

During the closure it is expected that approximately 150,000 cubic metres of earth will be excavated! 

A section of road on the Paparoa Oakleigh road detour

High quality scenic detour routes

NZTA and our partners Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) have been working closely with our contractors to prepare the three scenic detour routes to be as high quality as possible. Repairs are more than 95% completed with final works to be completed ready for 26 February.

During the closure NZTA and NTA will regularly assess the detour routes and have crews ready to complete any emergency repairs.

Reminder of closure dates

Road open: until 26 February 2024

Ahead of the road closure on the 26 February there will be some night works in the Brynderwyn Hills. The road is still open but will operate under stop/go traffic management during these nightworks. 

Road closed: 26 February to 27 March 2024

Road open for Easter travel: 28 March to 2 April 2024

Road closed: 3 April to 13 May 2024

More information

For more information on the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills project, contact us at northlandproject@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/brynderwyn-hills