Wild weather tests roading network

I think we’re all keen to get a decent run of blue sky soon. Unfortunately, NIWA says warmer sea temperatures and the ongoing La Niña weather pattern will increase chances of heavy rain in Northland right through to August. That will likely mean more disruption to our roads with flooding, slips and washouts.

Last week, more than 100mm of rain fell in parts of the region in less than 24 hours. Kerikeri recorded the highest rainfall in Northland, receiving 106.8mm between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. The rain caused havoc for drivers right across the district and council contractors were busy round the clock ensuring that roads were reopened as quickly as possible. Twenty-seven roads were impacted, with several closed by debris or flood waters. It is a credit to the hard work of contractors that all roads were reopened by Tuesday, although several will remain restricted to one lane where there are significant slips.

The two most serious slips closed roads in Hokianga. The first occurred on West Coast Road between Kohukohu and Panguru near Waipuna Marae. While traffic could still get through, this slip demonstrated just how vulnerable the remote coastal communities of Te Karaka Point, Rangi Point and Mitimiti are when their only road link is disrupted. Thankfully, the road was reopened to two-way traffic by Friday, but that section will remain un-sealed until the summer construction season.

The more serious slip will likely see Waiotemarama Gorge Road in South Hokianga closed to all traffic until early August. This district road cuts inland through Waimā Forest from Pākanae on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway (State Highway 12) just before Ōpononi. It re-joins the highway just west of Waimamaku. Last Thursday’s under-slip took out a 15-metre wide section of road, making both lanes impassable. There remains a high chance of further subsidence and that means the road could remain closed until Monday 1 August or longer. Fortunately, there is a good alternative route for drivers along State Highway 12.

Our roads take a hammering every winter, especially with rains like we’ve had recently. Our unsealed network is especially vulnerable to potholes and washouts. Our road maintenance contracts are now inspection-led to keep on top of maintenance issues. That means most of our 1,614km unsealed road network is inspected every month to identify defects. Remaining roads are inspected every two months at a minimum. Standard maintenance issues, such as potholes and grading, should be attended to within 10 working days. Where damage poses a significant safety risk to road users, the area must be immediately cordoned off or sign posted and repairs undertaken within 48 hours to one week, depending on how severe the problem is. The only way to provide a near perfect road surface is to seal it. We cannot afford to do that to any great extent without government funding. That’s something I will address in a future column.

In the meantime, we rely on you to tell us about potholes, slips or other dangers. Call us 24/7 on 0800 920 029.