The NZ Transport Agency advises that State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua will remain closed for up to another two weeks to enable safety works to be completed in the Mangorewa/Kaharoa Gorge, where a rock fall occurred on August 6.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) advises that State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua will remain closed for up to another two weeks to enable safety works to be completed in the Mangorewa/Kaharoa Gorge, where a rock fall occurred on August 6.
The additional two weeks closure will enable contractors to complete a package of rock bolting and netting to secure the new rock face where the fall occurred.
NZTA State Highway Manager Rod James says despite working hard to complete this work in time for an earlier opening next Monday, some further work still needs to be completed before the highway can be reopened to the public.
The reopening of SH36 is now expected around September 28 subject to how work progresses over the next week.
Mr James says that “We understand that this is not the news that motorists are hoping to hear but their safety, and the safety of our workmen are our top priority and we need to be sure that the situation is as safe as possible before we can reopen this highway. We are doing everything we can to reopen this highway as soon as we can and if we can reopen it before the 28th we will.”
Investigations into the factors that contributed to the rock fall are ongoing with independent assessments currently being carried out by the Department of Labour and GNS Science. These will be available at the completion of their investigations.
Weekly email updates about the works being carried out in the Mangorewa Gorge can be obtained by emailing: gorge@rdc.govt.nz
For more information please contact:
Julie Hannam
Regional Communications Advisor
NZ Transport Agency
DDI: 07 958 7238
Email: julie.hannam@nzta.govt.nz
