Summer trips from the Hibiscus Coast to Northland just got easier with State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills open.

NZTA System Manager for Northland Steve Matene says an outstanding effort on the ground delivered the early finish, despite heavy rain early in the closure.

Crews worked day and night to stick to a carefully coordinated plan and reopen the route safely without needing a second “super weekend” closure.

A full closure meant crews could use the entire width of the road for paving machinery and achieve a high-quality finish.

NZTA says partial or night-time closures would have stretched the work out to 12 to 14 weeks and caused far more disruption for people heading north.

To make the most of the shutdown, nine crews also carried out more than 100 essential maintenance tasks, including pavement repairs, vegetation control, drainage work, guardrail repairs and signage maintenance.

Doing this now should mean fewer delays for holiday traffic leaving the Hibiscus Coast and returning home over summer.

“This completes the recovery project, and we look forward to providing safer, more reliable journeys for locals, businesses and visitors heading north,” says Mr Matene.

Drivers are still being asked to take care over the Brynderwyns as people adjust to the changes.

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