8pm update: State Highway 2 at Otoko Hill, north of Gisborne, has reopened.
Surface flooding has receded sooner than expected and the stretch of highway between Makaretu Road and Whatatutu Road is now open to all traffic.
The road was closed at 4pm today following heavy and persistent rainfall.
Our contractor has been on site removing debris and silt from the highway.
Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience while this stretch of road was closed and reminds everyone to take care while driving through the area, and drive to the conditions.
A section of State Highway 2 near Otoko Hill has been closed due to surface flooding.
Our contractor closed the road just before 4 o’clock this afternoon following heavy and persistent rainfall.
The road will be closed between Makaretu Road and Whatatutu Road.
Waka Kotahi Tairāwhiti / Hawke’s Bay System Manager Martin Colditz says the surface flooding has made the area unsafe for road users.
Mr Colditz says the road will be closed overnight and our contractor will reassess the condition of the road at first light tomorrow.
All other parts of the network remain open currently and our contractor is continuing to closely monitor those sites for any changes.
