Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises the Gladstone Road bridge on State Highway 35 in Gisborne will be closed from 10am this morning to remove debris from the underside of the bridge.
Update two, 5.50pm Thursday 24 March:
State Highway 2 is now fully open between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki.
State Highway 35, between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay, is expected to reopen at 7pm tonight. SH35 between Tolaga Bay and Potaka remains closed and will be reassessed in the morning.
People should continue to visit the Waka Kotahi social media pages for updates
Update, 12.30pm Thursday 24 March:
Despite hopes we would be able to reopen State Highway between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay, and Potaka and the Ruatoria intersection at noon, both sections remain closed while contractors continue work to clear the road.
State Highway 2 remains closed between Ormond and Ōpōtiki.
Waka Kotahi will provide a further update later this afternoon.
The bridge is expected to remain closed for 2-3 hours and people are asked to delay their travel or use alternate routes. There are no alternate routes for HPMV.
Further up the coast, State Highway 35 is planned to reopen between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay, and Potaka and the Ruatoria intersection with State Highway 35, from 12 noon.
Contractors are out inspecting the roads this morning following the wild weather of the past couple of days, however people are asked to take extra care, stay alert – especially for unreported hazards, such as flooding, slips, wash-outs, pot holes, downed trees and power lines – and drive to the conditions.
Please continue to visit the Waka Kotahi social media pages and our Journey Planner website for updates:
Waka Kotahi thanks the people of Tairāwhiti for their patience.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
