Source: Whangarei District Council
Updated: 6/08/2020 1:49 p.m.
All roads are open again now, though some lanes are still closed for repair. This picture shows repairs made to Rocknell Bridge in Whananaki – made urgently to prevent serious damage.
Road repairs will cost an estimated $3.5 million following last month’s storm.
Whananaki’s Rockell Road Bridge needed extensive emergency repairs following last month’s storm.
Northland Transportation Alliance Maintenance Lead Mike Batchelor says the focus has shifted to clearing slips that have reduced roads to one lane.
“Our first priority was to get closed roads open to the public as quickly and safely as we could and we managed to reopen all closed roads this week. We’ve been lucky to have been able to call in contractors from Auckland and other areas to boost the numbers working on the widespread damage.”
“Once all roads have been cleared of slips we will be able to get to the large number of pot holes and blocked storm water drains that have been reported to us. We had 782 jobs logged to us from customers from the beginning of the storm period to the end of July and will be working through them as quickly as we can.”
“If residents see damage to roads they should report it to us as we may not be aware of it.”
Mr Batchelor says dozens of roads around the District were closed by slips and wash outs following the storm and contractors worked long hours to clear closed roads.
“We still have a massive job ahead of us and it will take months to repair all the damage.”
Last month’s storm caused an estimated $8 million in damage to the District’s roads, pipes, parks and reserves and Council will be applying to the Government for funding to meet costs where possible.
