North Rural Auckland flood recovery progress North Rural Auckland flood recovery progress

The North Rural area of the Auckland region was the most severely impacted by the storm events of 2023. We’ve made significant progress on repairing storm-damaged roads over the last 18 months, as shown by the following statistics.

Reported sites and slip repairs as of 30 November 2024

  • Total number of sites: 323 (67 major)
  • Completed sites: 313 (97%).

We have completed:

  • 57 of 67 major slip sites (85%)
  • all 256 minor slip sites (100%).

There are 7 slips now under construction:

  • Ahuroa Road, Puhoi
  • Leigh Road, Leigh
  • Pinchgut Road, Kaukapakapa
  • Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat
  • Smyth Road, Warkworth
  • Takatu Road, Tawharanui (two sites).

North Rural flood summary November 2024

The reported number of sites requiring minor to major repairs will change slightly over time as the design and investigation of each slip site develops. We ask for your patience as we repair sites all over Auckland.

To report new issues, please contact us.

Completed slip repair sites

The following is a list of recently completed major sites in the North Rural area. Our thanks go to everyone in each of these communities for your patience and understanding as we made necessary repairs and restored safe connections.

  • Ahuroa Road, Puhoi – 5 of 8 slips
  • Ashton Road, Leigh
  • Coatesville Riverhead Highway, Coatesville
  • Goat Island Road, Leigh
  • Haruru Road, Wainui
  • Kahikatea Flats Road, Warkworth
  • Krippner Road, Puhoi – 22 slips 
  • Mahurangi Road East, Snells Beach
  • Makarau Road, Makarau
  • Matakana Valley Road, Matakana – 9 of 10 slips
  • Moir Hill Road, Warkworth – 11 slips
  • Pakiri Road, Leigh and Pakiri – 8 slips
  • Pinchgut Road, Kaukapakapa – 1 of 4 slips
  • Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat
  • Ridge Road, Riverhead – 2 slips
  • South Head Road, Helensville
  • Tahekeroa Road, Tahekeroa
  • Takatu Road, Tawharanui Peninsula - 6 of 8 slips
  • Tauhoa Road, Tauhoa
  • Wainui Road, Wainui
  • Waitoki Road, Waitoki
  • Waiwhiu Road, Dome Valley
  • Weranui Road, Wainui – 6 of 6 slips
  • West Road, Kaukapakapa
  • West Coast Road, Kaipara Flats – 9 slips
  • Wishart Road, Helensville – (now monitoring)

Ahuroa Road, Puhoi

Road status: open, single lane with stop/go traffic management

4 December 2024

The Downer team will resume work on Monday 9 December. They will be working on:

  • the capping beam of the retaining wall
  • soil nails
  • drainage.

The team will take a break over the holiday period and return to the site on Monday 6 January 2025. The stop/go system will be operating during this time. The site will also be regularly checked for safety and functionality.
 
We are now into the last stretch of flood recovery work on Ahuroa Road. We expect it to be complete within the first quarter of 2025.
 
The road sealing team have also finished work (Stage 2B) along Ahuroa Road. They plan to start the Stage 2C seal extension works in March 2025.

 

Large rocks have been placed to stabilise a slope.
Site 6109 has been cleared ready for work, with the soil exposed. Some rock has been placed to stabilised the slope.

 

8 November 2024

The site team remains disestablished while AT do back-end work around site anchors. We need to install these anchors into the hillside. This work is ongoing and making good progress. You will hopefully see the site team back on-site soon.

4 September 2024

At site RP7784, east of J Tolhopf Road, all piles have been built. The site team is temporarily away while details for the anchors are being addressed. A lane closure with stop/go traffic signals remains in place.

A Mason Contractors maintenance crew is also working on Ahuroa Road, doing extensive road rehabilitation and some minor slip repairs. The current stage, 2B, should be complete by the end of October 2024. The next stage is scheduled to start construction in January 2025 and will complete the remaining section to J Tolhopf Road.

A gravel road scraped down to bare clay by an excavator in the background
The gravel road scraped down to bare clay
A domed concrete drainage channel next to a rolled road surface
New scruffy dome concrete drainage channel next to a rolled road surface ready for new pavement

21 August 2024

All piling work is now complete on the site east of J Tolhopf Road (site RP7784). Work on the timber lagging and drainage behind the new wall is now under way.

Concrete piles in place ready to hold up the road way area. Timber lagging is being placed behind the concrete piles. A dirt bench or haul road is in the foreground.

Concrete piles in place ready to hold up the road way area. A dirt bench or haul road is to the left, below the piles. The road is in the foreground to the right, covered with white matting to stop rain from washing the dirt away.

26 July 2024

Work east of J Tolhopf (site RP7784) is progressing, despite the weather and difficult ground conditions. To date, 38 of 46 piles have been drilled and concreted.

 Construction site with hydraulic digger. A row of metal columns with concrete bases is being built next to a temporary fence

26 June 2024

Two slip sites, near 849 Ahuroa Road and the ‘hairpin’ bend, are set for final guardrail and line-marking work during the first week of July (weather permitting). This will only require a stop/go lane closure.

Work east of J Tolhopf (site RP7784) started on 27 May. Benching is complete and 4 piles have been installed. The team are encountering some hard rock similar to the other repairs along the road. Approximately 2 months’ work remains at this site. Stop/go and occasional stop/stop traffic management is occurring, but no delays have been noted as a result of these Downer works.

Ahuroa Road ‘hairpin’ bend in Puhoi with wooden guardrail and orange cones

Aerial view of bush along Ahuroa Road with digger and other machinery working on road slip repairs

Crewman and digger at Ahuroa Road east of J Tolhopf, with white plastic sheeting and orange cones marking the repair site

22 May 2024

Work on the main slip site near 900 Ahuroa Road has been completed, and the road is now open to residents on a stop/go basis while further slips are being worked on.

Construction works near 859 Ahuroa Road (on the northern side) began in early May, and one lane is closed. All timber piles have been installed and backfilling is under way.

Work beginning near J Tolhopf Road from 27 May is expected to take around 3 months.

Of 8 slips identified along Ahuroa Road, 3 are largely complete, with 5 remaining.

Another 2 slip sites are being repaired alongside road maintenance work further down the road towards Puhoi.

24 April 2024

Downer is planning to begin construction work opposite 859 Ahuroa Road (on the northern side) from Monday 29 April. Access will be maintained with a stop/go in place. This work is expected to take around 4 weeks.

Work continues near 900 Ahuroa Road with a full road closure. Work in this area is expected to take until 7 May.

The design and methodology for repairs to Ahuroa Road at RP 7.784, approximately 50 metres east of J Tolhopf Road, is progressing. Access will be maintained, but at times there may be a delay of 10 minutes when travelling through this section of road. During peak times, Downer will ensure access is uninterrupted. We will provide an update once a construction start date is confirmed. 

22 April 2024

All piling has now been completed with a total of 149 piles installed. Our priority now shifts to drainage works and the capping beam. The focus has now shifted to the concrete work on the capping beam of the retaining wall.  The heavy machinery within the road corridor restricts both vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area.

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8 April 2024

The construction team is installing the last of the 300m of piling and continuing to install the capping beam, poured to support the retaining wall and road.

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18 March 2024

All 900mm 17m piles are in and Downer is now installing 900mm 12m piles using steel casing.

February 2024

Downer is making good progress, with 73 of 150 piles (some up to 17 metres deep) and 80 soil nails in place.

January 2024

Downer has now reestablished all construction equipment on site in preparation for the months ahead. The team is drilling and filling piles on the upper section of the site and the road will continue to remain closed for the duration of these works.

December 2023

Downer, on behalf of Auckland Transport (AT), continues to make progress on the remediation of the roadway on Ahuroa Hill. Since construction activities
began, a total of 16 piles have been drilled across the two sections. This is a considerable effort given the ground conditions which includes hard rock at a much lower depth than expected.

The construction team will be taking a break over the holiday period, from Thursday 22nd December 2023 returning on Monday 8th January 2024. During
this period the road will remain closed with all current temporary traffic management remaining in place.

26 October 2023

Ahuroa Road is proving difficult to repair. The original design was completed and works began in July 2023 on the permanent reinstatement. Unfortunately, the underlying rock layer is substantially deeper than thought, which has required a review of design options and a temporary hold on works.

AT is assessing six new design options and will select the most appropriate.  Once we have the preferred option, Downer and AT will be able to provide programme information to the community around timing and options.

AT remains committed to the successful completion of these works and expects that we will be able restart construction within four weeks and have the road open by April 2024.

10 October 2023

On Ahuroa Road, several major slips have completely closed the road through to Puhoi. There has been considerable progress on the slip at Ahuroa Hill RP8200-8600. Soil nails acting like anchors are in place, which means the slope is now stabilised against further erosion. Shotcrete (sprayed-on concrete) was completed in September, as shown in the image on the right. This specialised process involves the high-pressure spraying of concrete onto the retaining wall's surface, reinforcing its structural integrity. Some remaining components for this slip are currently in design.

21 September 2023

Completion of works is expected by February 2024.

7 September 2023

Ahuroa Road is being worked on in sections. Some sections have already been completed, some are in construction. One section near J Tolhopf Road, where there was a major slip, is in the design phase. Designs are being prepared to repair this section in conjunction with the other repairs.

There are several retaining walls to be completed and will be worked on in sections. Each section will be completed separately. Road sealing will be completed afterwards.

30 May 2023

  • Final design has been approved. Works to start shortly.
  • Road status - open from both ends with one section of road closed at J Tolhopf Road.

3 May 2023

  • 8 underslips have been identified.
  • Geotechnical investigation has been completed, and an inclinometer has been put in place.
  • Preliminarily assessment and design for the road rebuild were completed and presented on 20 April 2023. We are now moving forward to the final design phase using the existing road alignment.
  • Road status – open from both ends with one section of the road closed at J Tolhopf Road.

Dairy Flat Highway, Dairy Flat

Road status: open

8 November 2024

Construction work is now planned for early 2025.

25 September 2024

The final design process is underway for repairs needed on Dairy Flat Highway. We expect to begin construction work later this year.

Leigh Road, Leigh

Road status: open, single lane with stop/go traffic management

4 December 2024

All 51 piles were installed by the end of November and backfilling is being done. Drainage will be done during December. The road is now a single lane. This site is expected to be largely complete by the holiday break, with the road reopened to two lanes. More work may need to be done in the New Year.

A large timber retaining wall partially constructed.
Steel beams form the piles for the new timber retaining walls. Timber is being installed to form the wall.

 

8 November 2024

Work is progressing well. The team have installed the steel beams. They are now installing lagging and backfilling as they go.

15 October 2024

We started work on Leigh Road on 7 October 2024. The team created a bench below the road from which to work on the new retaining wall. Traffic is running on a single lane.

The gravel of the existing road is shown to the right of the image. In the left and foreground, an area of open soil has been created as the bench. Workers will use this as an accessway to build the new retaining wall.

25 September 2024

AT and Downer are expecting to start work on Leigh Road, near Schollum Road, from 7 October 2024. The work will involve the construction of a retaining wall and shoulder repair work. A lane closure will be in place with stop/go operating.

We expect to complete work before Christmas.

Vector will also be operating either side of these works to move powerlines and poles. They will notify residents separately.

Map showing work area on Leigh Road.

26 July 2024

Currently in design. Power cables near the slip site will impact design and construction methodology. We are working with Vector to address this.

Matakana Valley Road, Matakana

Road status: open, single lane with stop/go traffic management

There are 10 slips along Matakana Valley Road. Repairs at the first site started on 29 February 2024. To date, 9 of the 10 sites are complete. We expect to begin work on the 10th site, near the waterfall, in early 2025.

21 August 2024

Site 9 (of 10 sites) has now been largely completed. This month, pavement and asphalting, line marking and guard rail installation have been completed.  Minor remedial work will be undertaken as the weather allows. Site 10 remains in design and work is planned to begin later in the year.

2 road workers stand on the road with a generator and equipment while a third stands below the road at the bottom of the new timber retaining wall, with equipment used for the finishing touches of work.

Matakana Valley Road site 9, with new road seal, fresh painted road markings and a new guard rail.

26 July 2024

This month, we installed 16 piles at site 9. All piling and retaining wall work is now complete, and pavement work will progress this coming month. Site 10 is still in design. Work should begin later in the year. 

An asphalt truck works on a road marked with orange cones. A retaining wall made of wood piles reinforces the side where asphalt is being laid

26 June 2024

The team here are making great progress and are well ahead of programme. Eight sites have now been completed, with another one under way and one in design.

Work crew and cement truck laying cement at roadside slip marked with orange cones

22 April 2024

Three slip sites have been repaired and another 5 are under way. 

At RP773 (below left) 17 steel UC beams have been installed, ready for the lagging to be installed. Further along the road 39 timber poles have been installed with another 8 to come (see below right).

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At RP7037 timber poles and lagging is complete (below left), while at RP7730 all steel beams are in place and timber lagging and backfilling is under way (below right).

At RP7330 (below left) and RP7257 (below right) 17 beams have been installed, and curb and channel work are under way.

8 April 2024

Chip sealing has been completed on 3 sites (RP7330, RP7257 and RP5900) and 25 retailing poles are being installed and backfilled at RP7037. Ten steel beams have been installed at RP7730.

18 March 2024

The retaining wall at RO5900 is completed and kerb and channel will be installed next. Contractors are working on another three sites.

21 February 2024

Downer, on behalf of AT, will be undertaking permanent repair works on the 10 slip sites across Matakana Valley Road between numbers 732-952 from late February/early March. The construction work includes building retaining wall structures to reinforce and prevent further slips from occurring.

Works will begin near number 952 Matakana Valley Road, with the plan to progressively move through the area as each slip is remediated. Construction is expected to take 10 months, and we will provide regular updates on timelines.

  • Hours of work 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday
  • Traffic management includes temporary traffic signals, stop/go and speed restrictions.

22 September 2023

Work commenced on Monday 18 September. After initial works, we found that a design change was required. Works are on hold while we refine the design. Traffic management will remain in place. 

20 September 2023

Work commenced on Monday 18 September. Our initial works will involve excavation and site setup before preparing for construction of the timber pole retaining wall. This work is expected to take 6 weeks. Once this is completed, Downer will make their way to the next slip further up on Matakana Valley Road. Resilience work in this area is still in the design phase. 

8 September 2023

Work is set to begin on Monday 11 September for a 6-week period. A lane closure will be required with a stop/go in place. 

17 August 2023

  • Final designs under way

20 July 2023

  • Additional damage caused by storm of 9 May 2023
  • More slips were identified during investigation.

3 May 2023

  • 6 underslips and overslips have been identified
  • Preliminary site investigations completed
  • Road status - open.

26 April 2023

  • 6 underslips and overslips have been identified
  • Preliminary site investigations completed
  • Road status - open

Mill Flat Road Bridge, Coatesville

2 December 2024

During November, work has continued in preparation for the upcoming construction work.

Vector requirements for the movement of lines and poles need to be resolved before further construction progress can be made. The team are working hard to achieve this.

Unfortunately, the Vector relocation works are having an impact on our ability to award the contract. As soon as this is resolved, the contract will be awarded and work will begin.

Construction is now expected to start in early 2025.

AT sent a memo to update the Coatesville Transport Forum on 28 November. You can download the memo (PDF, 105KB).

8 November 2024

During October, ecologists monitored the site we will work in.

They were looking for:

  • bats
  • native skinks and lizards
  • native bird nests.

Before removal of any trees, they were checked for nests. No bats, skinks, lizards or native bird nests were found. Monitoring for skinks and lizards will be ongoing throughout construction.

We are still working with Vector to determine a start date for their work. We are also yet to confirm a preferred contractor for the work.

26 September 2024

The Auckland Transport (AT) design team has completed their part. Our construction team will now take over. We expect to appoint a contractor in October.

Sub-contractors and team members will be doing surveys and preparation works until mid to late October. Pending the survey's findings, Treescape will be on site to do vegetation work.

Before construction starts, Vector needs to move the power lines and poles out of the work area near the bridge. Chorus will be on site with Vector to reconnect power to the new source. That may affect telecommunications and internet access as the changeover happens. Vector and Chorus will liaise with residents about this work.

21 August 2024

An update has been shared with Mill Flat Road residents and the surrounding community this week, following the completion of the design phase of work.

The letter provides detail on the progress to date, outlines the proposed design and highlights some of the key anticipated construction impacts. Download a copy of the Mill Flat Road letter (PDF, 740KB).

29 July 2024

The design stage is now complete. A resource consent application was lodged with Auckland Council in May, and a tender for construction is out. An update was submitted to the Local Board, and an update for the community will go out shortly. 

May 2024

A community drop-in session was held on 1 May 2024 to discuss the design to date. (See the April update for details on the design.) Download a summary of this discussion.

April 2024

Mill Flat Road bridge replacement project

On 27 January 2023, the Mill Flat Road bridge was washed away during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend flooding event. As an emergency response, AT commissioned a Bailey Bridge to be constructed at the same location a week later.

Since then, AT has been investigating options for a permanent Mill Flat Road Bridge replacement, securing the necessary funding and undertaking a design process which includes planned intersection safety improvements on the Coatesville-Riverhead Highway.

What is planned

The Mill Flat Road Bridge current design includes:

  • a 2-lane replacement bridge with 3-metre-wide general traffic lanes
  • a single 1.5-metre-wide footpath on the southern (downstream) side of the bridge
  • a slightly widened approach to the bridge on Mill Flat Road, providing greater sightlines
  • no vehicle class or weight restriction
  • the ability to be submerged and withstand a one-in-100-year flood event without being washed away.

The new bridge will be located slightly upstream of the current bridge to enable continued community access throughout its construction. It will be constructed in two halves, with traffic running on the temporary Bailey Bridge during the first half of the build. Traffic will then run on the first half bridge while the temporary Bailey Bridge is removed and the second half of the new bridge is constructed.

Concept bridge design and typical cross-section

Intersection Improvements - Mill Flat Road / Coatesville-Riverhead Highway

  • The current design includes:
  • A right-turn bay on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway leading toward Mill Flat Road.
  • Slight widening of the road in this area, including retaining walls on the Rangitopuni Stream side, to accommodate the right-turn bay.
  • Improved signage and intersection warnings either side of the intersection.

Next steps

  • Finalise the detailed design - July 2024
  • Award contract for physical works to the successful tenderer by October 2024
  • Construction start - late 2024 for 12 to 16 months.

March 2024

A memorandum was provided to the Local Board in March 2024.

January 2024

Geotechnical investigations will be done at the bridge location from 30 January for approximately one week. Traffic management will be in place and delays are expected at times.

13 November 2023

AT presented a progress update to the Coatesville Transport Forum.

17 August 2023

Investigation phase under way to inform the design of the new bridge.

3 May 2023

  • Temporary one-way bridge installed
  • Project plan in development.

Pinchgut Road, Kaukapakapa

Road status: open under stop/go lane closure

4 December 2024

Slip repair work near 111 Pinchgut Road began on 29 October 2024. We expected work to be finished within one month. But when excavating the slip site, the team discovered rubbish buried within the road base. The work area has been extended to fix the slope, and the rubbish is now removed. This site is expected to be largely complete by the holiday break, with the road reopened to two lanes. More work may need to be done in the New Year.


An excavator works in the background to install soil nails. These are long steel rods that will hold the ground stable.  Several soil nails are already installed in the bank.
An excavator works in the background to install soil nails. These are long steel rods that will hold the ground stable. Several soil nails are already installed in the bank.

 

8 November 2024

Slip repair work near 111 Pinchgut Road began on 29 October and is expected to be completed within one month.

15 October 2024

We have repaired the first of 4 slips on Pinchgut Road. New edge markers are in place to highlight the edge of the road.

Work on the second slip near 111 Pinchgut Road will start on 21 October. The first step will be to build a retaining wall and repair the shoulder. We expect it to take one month to complete.

The repaired road is to the left of the image.  New edge markers highlight the edge of the road. New coconut matting lines the bank. The matting is off the side of the road, protecting the soils underneath.

25 September 2024

We started slip repair work near 171 Pinchgut Road on Monday 23 September. We expect it to take approximately one month to complete. This work will involve the construction of a retaining wall and shoulder repair.

 Map showing work area on Pinchgut Road

26 June 2024

Four slips remain on Pinchgut Road, with repairs starting soon. This work will follow the work currently being done on West Road.

January 2024

  • Minor slip repairs at RP1015 and RP659 complete
  • Preliminary site investigations complete, final designs in progress.

3 May 2023

  • Two underslips have been identified.
  • Preliminary site investigations are complete.

Pine Valley Road, Dairy Flat

Road status: open

18 December 2024

Pine Valley Road reopened today. Thanks for your patience over the last 4 months while we repaired damage from the 2023 storm events. The repairs involved:

  • a massive excavation down to install a large 2.5m wide culvert
  • 500+ block stone wall to support the damaged road
  • stormwater management works.

You can read more about these repair works here in our December Highlights Report.

We're pleased to have this section of road repaired for the community.

4 December 2024

Backfilling is almost up to the road level again and drainage has been installed. The road is now closed with detours in place. This site is expected to be largely complete by the holiday break, with the road reopened to two lanes. More work may need to be done in the New Year.

 

The road surface, which is now level with the surrounding road area.
The excavated road area has now been brought back up to level with the surrounding road area.
Two construction workers standing in front of the giant new culvert installed on Pine Valley Road.
Two construction team members demonstrate the size of the new culvert installed on Pine Valley Road. The new culvert is big enough to drive a car through. Rock surrounds the culvert to help manage scour. A concrete block wall sits to support the road.

 

8 November 2024

The 3-month slip repair work on Pine Valley Road started on 2 September and is progressing very well. We have installed the large box culvert, and the team have commenced backfilling the road area. The road remains closed with detours in place.

The newly installed box culvert deep beneath the road.

A  view inside the 2.5m wide box culvert.

Works have begun backfilling on top of the box culvert.  Concete blocks help to retain the road material above the culvert.

15 October 2024

The team dug down to the existing culvert and opened it up at the beginning of October. New prefabricated box blocks form the new culvert. Backfilling is now underway to bring the ground level back up.

An excavator works to backfill gravel material over the new concrete box culvert that has been installed.

17 September 2024

For the latest news from the Downer construction team, read September's Pine Valley Community update (PDF, 655KB).

Huge excavations of the existing culvert and sub-grade road are now complete at Pine Valley Road. Two excavators are working on installing the new culvert, rock riprap and concrete blocks.

Two excavators installing the new culvert, rock riprap and concrete blocks on Pine Valley Road.

4 September 2024

Slip repair work started on Monday 2 September 2024. Traffic detour signage is in place, and the team is monitoring traffic as travellers adjust to the road closure.

21 August 2024

Slip repair work is planned to start on Pine Valley Road from Monday 2 September 2024 and will take approximately 3 months to complete.

Pine Valley Road will be closed (residents access only) at the work site near property 257. 

A detour will be in place via Kahikatia Flat Road and Dairy Flat Road for 3 months.

The work will involve the construction of a block retaining wall on the southern side, repairs to the roadway and stormwater improvements. 

A map showing a section of road that is closed on Pine Valley Road. It shows East and West access to Pine Valley Road through Kahikatia Flat Road and Dairy Flat Road.

Red Hill Road, Te Arai

Road status: closed, resident access only

15 October 2024

Further design work is underway. We expect repairs to get underway in late 2024 or early 2025.

Slip on Redhill Road, Te Arai.

17 August 2023

  • Preliminary site investigations completed
  • Final designs completed 8 June 2023

30 May 2023

  • Road closed due to most recent storm on 9 May 2023
  • Road status - closed, open to residents only

3 May 2023

  • Preliminary site investigation completed
  • Preliminary design near completion
  • Road status – open but down to one lane

26 April 2023

  • Preliminary site investigation completed
  • Preliminary design near completion
  • Road status – open but down to one lane

Ridge Road, Riverhead

Road status: open

8 November 2024

Slip repair works are now complete on Ridge Road and the construction team have disestablished from the area. AT and contractor Downer would like to thank the community in this area for their patience while these extensive repairs were undertaken.

Repairs are complete with a new guardrail in place.

15 October 2024

We expect to finish line marking and installing the final guardrails by the end of October 2024.

25 September 2024

The team are working on the final stage of works. This includes road preparation, chip sealing, line marking and guardrail installation.

Repairs to slip 1 are nearing completion, with a new kerb and channel installed along the top of the new timber and steel beam retaining wall.
Timber and steel beam retaining wall under construction on Ridge Road.
Repairs to slip 2 are nearing completion, with a kerb and channel installed along the top of the new block retaining wall.
Installation of a kerb and channel alongside the new retaining wall.

4 September 2024

Repairs to slip 1 are well under way, with the retaining wall mostly complete. This month, backfilling will be done and the kerb and channel reinstated.

A timber retaining wall with steel i-beams stretches alongside a rural road. An excavator works on the wall.

Repairs to slip 2 started on 26 August 2024. The area has been battered back, with white cloth protecting the exposed material on the battered face. This slip will be repaired using blocks.

A slip that has been battered back, with white cloth protecting the exposed material. An excavator shifts clay on the bank.

21 August 2024

Work on Ridge Road is progressing well. To date, 18 out of 31 piles have been installed and concreted on the first retaining wall.

2 workers inspecting an excavator which is beginning to drill pile holes in the soft dirt.

An auger is operating in the foreground to dig holes for the steel beams. A truck is being loaded with the excess spoil from the holes.

26 July 2024

Work to construct 2 retaining walls and repair the road shoulder begins Monday 5 August 2024. The work should take approximately 3 months to complete.

Ridge Road will be closed between 690 and 744 Ridge Road. A detour on Wake Road and Coatesville Riverhead Highway will be in place for 3 months. See the following detour map and allow extra time when travelling through the area.

Smyth Road, Warkworth

Road status: closed, residents access only

4 December 2024

Work started on 11 November 2024, with a full road closure in place due to the narrow road. The team are constructing a new retaining wall and repairing the road. VMS boards and social media were used to notify motorists, along with letters for residents.  

This site is expected to be largely complete by the holiday break, with the road reopened to two lanes. More work may need to be done in the New Year.

 

Timber piles installed along the narrow road edge.
Timber piles are being installed along the narrow road edge.

 

8 November 2024

From Monday 11 November, Downer, on behalf of Auckland Transport (AT) will be repairing slips on Smyth Road near number 157. This will involve the construction of a retaining structure and road repair. A road closure with resident-only access will be in place on Smyth Road between numbers 260 and 157.

We anticipate there will be an increase in noise as we work. We apologise in advance and will do our best to keep this to a minimum where possible.

Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula

Road status: open, single lane operating

Repairs at Takatu Road include 5 soil-nailed shotcrete walls and one mass-gravity rock buttress to address the 6 slips identified.

4 December 2024

Work on two sites on Takatu Road started on 4 November 2024. The new wall on site 7852 is complete, and the road area will be chip sealed and completed early December. On site 6109, the area was cleared to enable the works. Unforeseen ground conditions now mean that a redesign will be needed. The team are backfilling and making the site safe then will stop working until we have a new design. The road will be reopened to two lanes. We expect work to start again in the New Year.

 

8 November 2024

We started repairing the next slip on Takatu Road this week on 4 November. Downer, on behalf of AT, are undertaking the slip repair work near 617 Takatu Road. This will involve the construction of a retaining wall and shoulder repair.

A lane closure will be in place with stop/go operating.

23 October 2024

Downer will be repairing a slip near 617 Takatu Road from Tuesday 29 October 2024.

Work is expected to take approximately 6 weeks with a lane closure stop/go in place.

25 September 2024

We have identified two more slips. We have named them RP 7852 and RP 6109. Repairs are in the design stage. We expect to begin works later this year.

21 August 2024

Slip repair works are now complete on Takatu Road and the construction team have disestablished from the area. AT and contractor Downer would like to thank the community in this area for their patience while these extensive repairs were undertaken.

A new stormwater scruffy dome sits in the foreground at the end of new kerb and channel. The road has new guard rails, pavement and linemarkings.

A wet sandy beach in the foreground with a new sprayed concrete wall in the background now supporting the road.

26 July 2024

Rock buttress works and guardrail installation are now complete.

Another slip was discovered on Takatu Road. Working in challenging wet conditions, the team installed 26 soil nails (marked with blue painted dots in the image) to stabilise the slip. In August, they will install mesh and spray shotcrete, as with other slips in the area.

Two construction workers in orange high-visibility jackets working in a muddy area alongside a concrete slab barrier

A dirt and gravel bank marked with evenly spaced blue spraypainted dots

26 June 2024

The team had to work with the tide to install the rock buttress during low tide. Work here is progressing well, and work on these initial slips should be completed soon.

Digger digging along muddy shoreline area at low tide

22 April 2024

Working in challenging conditions using abseiling gear and special supports for access, the team have made great progress. Steel mesh has been placed over the slip area of four slips. Shotcrete work is now complete on 4 of the 5 slips that need it.

8 April 2024

Shotcreet has been completed on Slip 2, while soil-nail drilling and installation continues on slips 5 and 6.

 

18 March 2024

Repairs are being made to six sites and contractors are currently working on four, focusing no grouting and meshwork and soil nailing.

February 2024

Image: Drilling Slip 3 where the excavator couldn't reach.

December 2023

Construction activities are under way and focus on comprehensive remediation measures which include five soil nailed shotcrete walls and one mass gravity rock buttress to address the identified six slips.

All necessary equipment, including excavators and drilling gear, has been mobilised, vegetation removal is complete and nailing is under way.

20 September 2023

Design work for the slip on Takatu Road is nearing completion.  Construction will follow.

17 August 2023

  • Final designs expected at the end of August
  • Road status – open, but some sections of the road are reduced to one lane 

22 June 2023

Final designs under way on 25 June 

3 May 2023

  • 5 underslips identified
  • On track to completion
  • Road status – open, but some sections of the road are reduced to one lane.

26 April 2023

  • 5 under slips identified
  • On track to completion
  • Road status – open, but some sections of the road are reduced to one lane.

West Road, Kaukapakapa

Road status: open

20 November 2024

Slip repair works are now complete on West Road. The construction team have stopped working in the area. AT and contractor Downer would like to thank the community in this area for their patience during these extensive repairs.

Retaining wall on West Road, Kaukapakapa. 

Completed repairs on West Road, Kaukapakapa.

8 November 2024

Work on this site restarted on 26 September 2024. We have built the retaining wall, backfilled and completed chip sealing work. We are planning the guardrail installation.

The road has been backfilled around the retaining wall. A roller works to flatten the road materials prior to sealing.

15 October 2024

We restarted work on 1 October and expect to finish within the month. We have installed the steel beams and timber lagging. The team are working on backfilling the site. We will build drainage works over the coming weeks.

An excavator uses a borer attachment to create holes for the steel I-beams to be installed into. Several beams are already installed in the photograph.

The timber lagging has been installed in between each of the steel I-beams. The backfilling is underway. Gravel is piled in the new roadway area ready to be spread and compacted.

25 September 2024

The team is awaiting the delivery of UC Steel Beams. We expect the beams to arrive this week and construction to restart on Thursday 26 September. We expect work to take one month.

26 July 2024

Work on West Road started on 1 July 2024, and the first hole was drilled on 11 July. As shown in the following images, the area is very soft clay. The team initially drilled to a depth of 9m and then 11.5m, with no rock found. The team is currently reviewing the design and looking at options on how to proceed.

A bulldozer and hydraulic drill working in a clay soil ditch alongside a road marked with cones

A construction worker in an orange high-visibility jacket helps direct another construction worker operating a digger as he drills a hole into clay soil in a shallow pit

26 June 2024

Work on West Road will begin soon, with a new retaining structure required to support the road, road repairs and a new culvert planned. This work should take approximately 3 months to complete.

February 2024

Contractors are on site to excavate, trench, and install a culvert and cesspit.

New asphalt marked with orange cones on a rural road with piles of gravel off to the side

January 2024

Final design expected February 2024.

3 May 2023

Preliminary site investigation complete.

Wishart Road, Helensville

Road status: open

18 December 2024

Our monitoring has found that the ground is still moving, even with the new drainage in place. This means further non-urgent repairs to the road are needed. We're currently confirming the repair plans in this location.

Vector need to straighten a nearby power pole. They'll also move another pole which will need to be relocated because of the road repair work. They'll start from 8 January 2025 and be in touch with neighbours to communicate any effects from the work. 

We'll be back touch next year once we've confirmed plans and programme for the repairs next year.

15 October 2024

We have installed drainage. We will actively monitor the site for an initial period of 3 months. If movement is detected, we will need to do further repair work.

Coconut matting covers the area that was cleared. This was to enable access to install the new drainage in this area.

25 September 2024

We have established an access track to the site and have started installing drainage.

A dirt access track leads to the newly established work area.
Dirt access track leading to the new work area.
Drainage work is underway. An excavator is supporting drilling equipment being used by 4 work personnel in wet and muddy conditions.
Drainage work is underway on Weranui Road.

4 September 2024

Work will start from Wednesday 11 September, taking approximately 4 weeks. The work involves the installation of a drainage system to redirect water from the slip area and surrounds.

Existing traffic management, which includes a lane closure with stop/go signals and temporary speed restrictions, will remain in place. This setup ensures that crews can carry out their work safely.

7 August 2024

We have been monitoring the site for the past year. Design for a solid drainage system to redirect water from the slip area and surrounds is under way, and the work should be carried out later this year. Once the new drainage is in place, we will actively monitor this section of the road for one to 2 years, looking for any movement of concern. If there is movement, we will finalise designs for a full repair at this location.

January 2024

Temporary repair to open road over Christmas completed.

20 July 2023

Final design delayed due to further investigation (movement being measured). 

22 June 2023

Under design phase. Final design due 4 July

3 May 2023

  • Preliminary site investigation complete.
  • Road status – open but reduced to one lane with traffic lights at major slip site.

26 April 2023

  • Preliminary site investigation complete
  • Road status – open but reduced to one lane, with traffic lights at major slip site.