Coromandel and East Waikato roads affected by slips and flooding

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency continues to advise against non-essential travel in the Coromandel and parts of the East Waikato with road conditions making travel hazardous.

Update 7pm: 

Coromandel

State Highway 25 (SH25) is CLOSED between Tapu and Waiomu due to rock fall at Ruamahanga Bay. The road will not reopen here tonight.

The rockfall is approximately 500 metres north of the Ruamahanga boat ramp.

East Waikato

SH2 Karangahake Gorge is OPENfollowing the clearance of two slips but road users should expect that it could be reduced to one lane or fully closed this evening while the embankment is still saturated and active.

Please avoid the area if possible or expect delays.

This information updates the bulletin below.

Update 2.30pm: SH2 Karangahake Gorge remains under one lane under Stop/Go traffic management while contractors work to clear two slips. The original slip which closed the road yesterday has fallen again this afternoon and another slip has formed nearby. Photo attached.

Please avoid the area if possible or expect delays.

This information updates the bulletin below.

In the Coromandel, State Highway 25 (SH25) is compromised in many areas. Extreme caution is advised. There are multiple slips and areas with surface water, as well as mud and other debris on the road, making conditions slippery and dangerous.

Expect delays as contractors continue work to clear slips and make roads safe.

UPDATE ON STATE HIGHWAYS IN REGION

• SH25 Thames to Coromandel – OPEN
  • There is flooding at Manaia. Water has receded but is being closely monitored due to high rainfall
  • Access past a slip at Ruamahanga Bay is possible as clearance operations allow so expect delays.
  • Some access past a fallen tree at Waiomu as clearance operations allow.
• SH25 Coromandel to Whitianga – OPEN But Stop/Go traffic management in places and caution is advised.
• SH25 Whitianga to Whangamata CLOSED at Hikuai due to flooding.
  • Some access past a fallen tree and slip at Kaimarama as clearance operations allow.
• SH25 Whangamata to Waihi – OPEN but extreme caution is advised.
• State Highway 25A (SH25A) - FULLY CLOSED
• State Highway 2 (SH2) Karangahake Gorge OPEN under stop/go traffic management, however travel should be avoided in this area if possible. Contractors are still working to clear slip material and there is on-going truck movement in both directions.
• State Highway 26 (SH26) Te Aroha to Paeroa – OPEN but exercise extreme caution. Contractors are monitoring water levels closely. The road may close again at any time if required. High tide poses additional risk from around 4pm
• SH26 Paeroa to Kopu OPEN but caution advised due to standing surface water.
• State Highway 29 Kaimai Ranges OPEN

State Highway 26 (SH26) Te Aroha to Paeroa – 12.15pm today

If you don’t need to be driving in these areas, please stay home. If you need to travel in affected areas, please check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before you leave. This page is updated 24/7 by our traffic operations centres, and is the best source of the most recent and reliable information available on state highway closures and disruptions. Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure that the latest updates are displayed.

Roading contractors are also working around the clock in incredibly difficult conditions to monitor the state highway network for slips, flooding and other disruptions.  Contractors will always do their best to keep roads open and minimise disruptions, but the nature of this event means that roads may need to be closed at short notice to keep people safe.