The Maraenui Bluff slip which closed State Highway 35, 30 kilometres east of Opotiki continues to move slowly, reports the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
Rod James, the NZTA’s Bay of Plenty State Highway Manager says the one-way detour remains open only to light traffic (less than five tonnes). Heavy vehicles should be able to traverse the detour route from midnight on Sunday, 5 September - but this will be confirmed on Saturday.
“Each day next week, the detour will close to heavy vehicles from 9 am to noon, and again from 2pm - 6pm. This will allow upgrade work to continue. During these closures, light vehicles will be diverted onto the highway but this option is not available for heavy vehicles. All going well, the detour should be open 24 hours a day to all vehicles from 11 September.
“A 30km/h speed restriction is in place on the steep and windy detour and extreme care is needed. It will add 10 – 15 minutes travel time,” says Mr James.
An on-site meeting was held yesterday with iwi, heavy commercial vehicle operators, other road users, NZTA and their contractors. The meeting heard about the complexities of the situation and that geological investigations continue to determine the nature and extent of the slip before a solution can be developed.
The NZTA expects these investigations to take about a month and thanks road users for their patience during this time.
Updates can be found on the NZTA’s road condition website: www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/(external link)
