Brynderwyns update: We're planning to reopen State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills at the end of June following the delay caused by an active slip.

As you've seen from our updates since the start of the closure, we'd been on track to reopen the road today until the slips on 26 and 30 April occurred. We know how difficult the highway closure is on local businesses and communities—our priority has been doing geotechnical and safety assessments to determine the best option for stabilising the hillside and getting the road open as quickly as possible.

While our plan is to reopen at the end of June, if there's a significant amount of unexpected rain or further instability is found there could be a delay to our reopening timing—but we're committed to completing these vital recovery works as quickly as possible to ensure a safe and reliable SH1 over the Brynderwyns for the short to medium term.

We've already started excavation. Crews are working seven days a week (weather permitting) to get the road open. As you can see in this photo, operators are working from a platform at the top of the ridge. Removing soil from the top of the ridgeline reduces the likelihood of further slips, which'll then enable safe work to be done from the bottom to remove material.

We'll be removing up to 55,000 cubic metres of earth to stabilise the site where the two slips occurred at Kauri Tree Corner. We're maximising the number of trucks, diggers, and workers on site to ensure the soil removal is a continuous operation in daylight hours to get it clear.

Our remaining planned works, including drainage and pavement works, are on track—the team is continuing on these, including working at night where it's safe.

We've built in contingency for poor weather, but the ground conditions remain unstable and we're continuing to actively monitor the ground. There's a risk of further slips until we complete the stabilisation works.

While the closure is in place we're still proactively monitoring the three official detour routes to ensure these're safe and as high quality as possible. We'll also be doing essential repairs on these routes. Travel safely when you use the detour routes. For travel information about the closure, including detour routes, check out this update: https://www.facebook.com/nztanorthland/posts/708960454741386

We'll keep you updated here and in our Brynderywns newsletter as we work as quickly as we can to complete the work. Visit our website to sign up: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/sh1-brynderwyn-hills/