30 Jun 2021

Far North road to open a year after storm caused massive slips

1:13 pm on 30 June 2021

The Mangamuka gorge in the Far North will re-open this evening, after being damaged in a storm last year.

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A slip caused by a storm last year left the highway through Mangamuka Gorge at risk of collapsing. Photo: Supplied

A deluge last July caused slips that closed more than a dozen roads, including State Highway 1 through the gorge.

The highway was the most direct route through the region and its closure had caused drivers to face longer travel times, Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult said.

"Given the importance of this connection it was crucial we not only carried out repairs, but also installed drainage works to limit damage from future weather events," Hori-Hoult said.

Although the repairs are almost finished and the road will re-open at 6pm tonight, temporary traffic management will be in place for a small one-lane section.

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