The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) advises that a short section of the Waioeka Gorge at Oponae on State Highway 2 will close for short periods from 30 July - 3 August 2012 to enable the removal of hazardous trees overhanging the highway.
NZTA will be closing the highway near Waiata Road for up to 15 minute stretches to protect traffic while the trees are being removed. Some travel delays are expected.
Weather permitting, the work will begin on July 30 and will take approximately five days to complete. The work will be carried out between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.
NZTA State Highway manager, Brett Gliddon, says the eighteen pine trees are self seeded and are situated precariously above the road, posing a potential hazard to road users if they were to fall.
Mr Gliddon says, "The removal of these pines is a continuation of the wilding pine control that the Department of Conservation (DOC) has progressively being undertaking in the Waioeka Gorge over recent years. The trees are located on DOC land, and the cost to remove them is being shared between the two agencies."
