Road users are being urged to drive to the conditions and expect delays, even when their State Highway may be open.
Roading contractors are out again today at a number of sites, assessing damage caused by flooding, slips, drop outs and debris over the past few days.
A number of State Highways remain closed in full or in part and others are down to one lane, and are being controlled by temporary speed limits, and stop/go signs or traffic lights.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Manager of maintenance and operations Jacqui Hori-Hoult says in Northland, SH1 at the Brynderwyns remains closed in anticipation of more rainfall.
“Heavy traffic will need to use SH12 and SH14 as a detour while lighter vehicles will be able to use a sign posted local road detour.
“Currently we have contractors urgently assessing the many slips on SH25 which have closed the road between Coromandel town and Whitianga. SH25A between Kopu and Hikaui remains closed until further notice, and while the Tapu-Coroglen and 309 roads are also closed, there is a detour on SH2 via Karangahake Gorge.
“Further south, SH43 between Taumarunui and Stratford is now open and motorists are asked to take care, given there is still a large underslip, just 7km south of Taumarunui, at Herlihys Bluff.
“The road was closed temporarily yesterday while contractors worked to repair the site. One lane was reopened late yesterday afternoon,” says Ms Hori-Hoult.
“There are a number of other closures and the nature of this continuing weather event means the status of other roads on the network may change at any time. We recommend you keep up to date on Waka Kotahi’s Journey Planner.
Waka Kotahi Journeys(external link)
“As Metservice forecasts further rainfall and possible hailstorms spreading further down North Island in the next few days, we are closely monitoring the state of the network in those areas.”
“Our priority remains ensuring delays on our network are minimised and that conditions are safe for road users and contractors at these sites. That means in many places, there will be road workers out with lower speeds in place or stop / go controls.
“If you are driving through, please be mindful of our contractors who may be out clearing hazards off the road and drive to the conditions. Please allow more time for your trips at the moment and be courteous to other road users.
“If you do come across a slip or debris or flooding on your journey that you can’t see listed on our Journey Planner just yet, please call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.
Waka Kotahi Journeys(external link)
Metservice Weather Warnings(external link)
Auckland Council(external link)
