Coasties may have noticed significant activity on Duck Creek Road, as Auckland Transport (AT) embarks on essential repairs to secure this vital access route during the construction of Penlink, the new 7km highway linking Whangaparaoa Road and State Highway 1.

Duck Creek Road, the only connection to Stillwater, is currently accommodating increased traffic, including heavy haulage vehicles associated with the Penlink build.

Normally serving around 2,000 vehicles daily, the road has been under pressure since it experienced an under-slip on its northern side during the severe weather events of 2023.

Alan Wallace, General Manager of Road Asset Maintenance and Renewals at AT, explained the urgency of the repairs: "The road began to slump due to the increased traffic, so a decision was made to fix it promptly to ensure safe access for residents and visitors. The urgency of this project is paramount, as further slips could sever community access and disrupt material and machinery supply for the Penlink project."

To stabilise the road, AT is constructing three retaining walls—two on the northern side, measuring 16 metres and 86 metres wide, and one on the southern embankment side, which is 95 metres long.

The repairs also include pavement, drainage works, footpaths, and driveways.

Currently, Duck Creek Road remains open but has been reduced to one lane through the construction area.

Wallace also highlighted the challenges faced during the repairs, especially in accommodating heavy haulage traffic for the O Mahurangi Penlink Alliance.

"This has been managed well so far, with short full road closures where necessary and the installation of safety barriers to protect the public and workers. We're also collaborating with Vector to protect or relocate their assets compromised by slips."

Repairs on Duck Creek Road began at the end of June and are expected to take seven months to complete.

So far, 60 per cent of the timber poles for the southern retaining wall have been installed, along with significant earthworks.

The storm events of 2023 caused over 2,000 slips and other road issues across Auckland, with repairs projected to take 2 to 3 years and cost $390 million.