High priority given to West Coast Road repairs
Repairs to two major slips on West Coast Road are expected to start early this year but may take some time. A detour remains in place for heavy vehicles at the Kohukohu slip. Read more here.
Permanent repairs are expected to begin early this year on two major slips on North Hokianga’s West Coast Road. Control measures and heavy traffic restrictions will remain in place and be closely monitored until the works are complete.
The two slips occurred following separate severe weather events in 2022. The first in July reduced West Coast Road to one lane near Waipuna Marae in Panguru, while the second in August closed the road completely just past the intersection with Motutī Road near Kohukohu.
Both slip sites are now open to light, single lane traffic using give way systems. However, a detour remains in place for heavy vehicles at the Kohukohu slip with an exemption for emergency services vehicles. This means trucks and other heavy traffic travelling to Panguru and Mitimiti will continue to use a detour route via Runaruna Road. The heavy transport detour traverses 9km of hills and is clearly marked by electronic message boards. While regularly monitored to ensure the road is well maintained, Far North District Council and Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA) acknowledge the detour cannot be a long-term alternative.
Geotechnical engineers say that both West Coast Road slips have continued to move due to a combination of soil saturation caused by ongoing wet weather and local geology. Both sites have very similar characteristics to Mangamuka Gorge, where a series of devastating slips have kept State Highway 1 closed since August.
The current cost estimates to repair district road damage in the Far North caused by recent storms stands at $15.3 million. Of that, the West Coast Road slips will require about $1.1 million, with the slip closest to Kohukohu estimated to cost just over $650,000. Both slips are rated as high priority for repairs.
A response from Waka Kotahi NZTA to Council’s funding assistance request has now been received, with funding approved to carry out further geotechnical assessment and detailed design options. Once assessment and designs have been completed, Council will be able to better inform Waka Kotahi NZTA of the expected costs required to pursue further funding for procurement and construction to get underway. NTA warns that due to the scale of the slips, repairs may take some time to complete.
Main image - road damage near Kohukohu.
Map below – detour route for heavy traffic to Panguru and Mitimiti.
