State Highway 35 at Turihaua Point has been restored and is fully open, after coastal erosion caused by large swells and high tides forced Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to close the one of the lanes.
Journey Manager Helen Harris is praising the efforts of contractors to repair the damage quickly, in difficult conditions.
“We are very grateful to our contractors for their work to get the road back up to two lanes, on top of responding to other incidents and hazards on the state highway network as a result of the recent weather events.”
Both lanes are fully open, however the road shoulder remains closed as it is not yet sealed. Contractors are waiting for the weather to improve to complete the sealing work.
“We’re expecting to experience more wet weather over these winter months, so we continue to advise motorists to take extra care and drive to the conditions,” Ms Harris says.
“Now is also a good time for farmers to check their fences and waterway gates. We know that the recent weather events would have caused damage to fencing, increasing the risk of stock wandering onto the highway.
“Not only does it create a risk to motorists’ safety when stock wander onto the road, but it also means our contractors have to be taken off other jobs to respond and clean up when stock is hit by a vehicle. So it’s important that farmers check their fences and make any repairs as soon as possible.
“We thank those farmers who have already ensured their fencing is secure and ask those who haven’t, to please make it a priority.”
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