NZ Transport Agency Regional Operations Manager Mark Owen says the NZTA aims to have the affected section of Rocks Road south of the Basin Reserve fully open again by late February.
For the interim period, the NZTA will put new signs in place later this week directing cyclists to share the existing coastal footpath with pedestrians. Mr Owen says it's important to allow this flexibility for cyclists, who have been very patient in using the Waimea Road detour in recent weeks.
"We appreciate that the recent problems regarding safe cycle access on Rocks Road have been frustrating and unsettling to both cyclists and motorists, and we want to help steer cyclists safely in the right direction while keeping inconvenience for everyone to a minimum."
"We're erecting signs advising cyclists who wish to continue using Rocks Road rather than the detour through Waimea Road that they should cross the road and use the pedestrian footpath to bypass the affected section of road until the cycle lanes are restored."
"We're asking cyclists to be considerate of pedestrians and to share the footpath by either walking their bikes along this section, or riding at low speeds and with great care."
"We appreciate it's not an ideal situation, and we're working as quickly as possible to secure the hillside and get the cycle lanes reopened."
Mr Owen says plans are well underway for hillside stabilisation measures such as rock bolting, and the NZTA expects to have these completed and in place by the end of February, weather permitting. Once the hillside has been secured, the cycle lanes will be safe to reopen.
Mr Owen says today the signs advising motorists to use the Waimea Road detour have been switched back on.
"We share the public's concern that the signs were switched off, and we've taken steps to ensure they stay in place at all times to protect the safety of both cyclists and motorists."
Mr Owen says the signs will remain in place until they are replaced later this week by the new signage.
