NZ Transport Agency contractors continue to clear slips and debris from Coromandel Peninsula highways following cyclone Wilma.
A large slip at Ruamahunga Bay has completely closed State Highway 25 15kms north of Thames. NZTA Regional Operations Manager Trevor Fearnley says that contractors are working hard to reinstate the state highway as quickly as possible.
Mr Fearnley says, "The size and instability of the slip at Ruamahunga Bay has made it difficult to clear the site as fast as we had first hoped, and the highway is unlikely to be fully cleared this week. We are working to achieve one lane access through the slip site on Thursday."
Approximately 12,000 cubic metres of earth was moved by the slip and over half of that has been removed from the site so far.
The NZTA is asking motorists and the general public to stay away from this area for safety reasons as there are a large number of trucks using the road to cart material away from the site and because there is still a risk of further landslide.
The NZTA also advises that care must be taken when travelling on all the Coromandel Peninsula highways due to the widespread debris and small slips.
Information on the road conditions in the area can be obtained by phoning 0800 4HIGHWAYS or on the NZTA web site.
