Waka Kotahi has confirmed that night-time closures of SH2 between Gisborne and Wairoa have been lifted and the road will now be open to the public on a 24/7 basis.
“Our contractors in the region have put in a massive effort to make this happen. Opening up critical routes for the people of this region is a top priority, and we’re grateful to our crews for the work they’ve done to get us to this point,” says Waka Kotahi National Emergency Response Team spokesperson Wayne Oldfield.
SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne will remain closed to the public overnight, from 7pm to 7am, for the time being. With slips still moving and debris coming down on the road surface the road cannot yet be safely opened for travel at night.
Several other state highway routes in the region also remain closed. The on-line Waka Kotahi Journey Planner is being continually updated with the latest available information on state highway closures and restrictions. Those who are unable to access the internet at this stage are asked to tune to local radio for the latest Civil Defence advice. Local programmes are on Radio NZ 101.3FM and 1314AM, The Breeze 97.5FM, The Hits 89.5FM and Civil Defence information on Newstalk ZB 96.7.
Journey Planner(external link)
Mr Oldfield says contractors are continuing to work in the region to reopen more roads and restore access to communities in the region.
“We are hugely thankful to the hard-working men and women on our contracting crews who are doing the hard yards to re-open these critical transport links. Many of these people live in areas which have been badly affected by the storm, and they are getting on with this vital work even as their own friends and families are affected,” says Mr Oldfield.
