The Reopening Of The Troubled Main State Highway Through The Mangamuka Gorge In The Far North Has Been Delayed Until Late 2024

The reopening of the troubled main state highway through the Mangamuka Gorge in the Far North has been delayed until late 2024. Originally Waka Kotahi said the closure would end in May 2024 however it now says the road won’t be operational until late 2024. The vital Far North route has been closed since heavy rains brought down slips on the highway in August 2022. The current long-term closure of the highway will stretch for more than two years. Repeated huge rain dumps and major damage have led to SH1 over the Mangamuka Gorge being largely closed since July 2020. By the time it reopens more than $100 million will have been spent on repairs and the highway will have been closed 75% of the time since mid 2020.