A regional expressway for Northland is number one on the Government's infrastructure priority list.

The Transport Minister's agreed to accelerate things — letting NZTA move at pace on the route between Auckland and Whangarei.

Locals have been growing irritated following repetitive road closures, making access to Northland difficult.

Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking recent weather events highlighted how the work's importance.

“This is something we have been working on all year — this announcement — because we know how critically important getting a fix for the Brynderwyns is.”

LISTEN ABOVE

• ‘No other region would put up with this crap’: Frustration mounts over prolonged Brynderwyns closure