State Highway 12 through Waipoua Forest will be closed to all heavy vehicles this Saturday (10 January) to enable the NZ Transport Agency to investigate ground conditions where a section of the highway has slipped into the river below.
The Transport Agency’s Northland and Auckland North Journey Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult says during the October event, heavy rain in the area caused part of the highway to slip away, reducing the highway to one lane.
“A drilling rig will be brought on site to enable us to better understand the ground conditions in the area and what is happening under the highway. As a result, the width of the highway will be severely restricted to accommodate the rig and safety work zone.
“While cars and light vehicles will still be able to travel through the area, larger commercial vehicles will be unable to travel through Waipoua Forest this Saturday (10 January) from 7am to 7pm.”
She says the only viable alternative route will be SH1. Electronic message boards will notify motorists of the work and detour.
The Transport Agency apologies in advance for any inconvenience caused to motorists.
“This drilling work is critical for us to complete testing for the repair work, plan our repair methodology and reduce the longer term effect of the single-lane restriction, as well as ensuring any work we undertake protects the sensitive and natural Waipoua Forest.”
For the latest information on what is happening on the state highways: phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or visit the website: www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link)
For more information please contact:
Jan McCarthy
Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T +64 3 964 2885
M 64 21 427 442
E Jan.McCarthy@nzta.govt.nz
