The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and their contractors have worked hard to reinstate access to state highways closed around the region due to the severe weather event earlier this week. There are still some remaining cleanup operations underway. The NZTA is advising motorists to continue to take care on state highways around the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty until this work is complete.
Coromandel
- The Karangahake Gorge on State Highway 2 between Waihi and Paeroa is open to single lane access while road crews continue cleaning up.
- State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel Town is now open. Motorists are being cautioned to take care as debris is still being cleared from this stretch of SH25. There are also small slips at various locations sectioned off with road cones.
- A section of State Highway 25 between Coromandel Town and Whitianga affected by a major slip west of Te Rerenga (before Quarry Road) is open to single lane access while road crews continue cleaning up.
- State Highway 1 south of Cambridge, lane closures are in place due to slips.
Bay of Plenty
- Both lanes on State Highway 2 between Bruce Road and Domain Road, Papamoa are open during the day. From 7.00pm - 6.00am overnight repair works will be undertaken and there will be single south bound lane access only with a detour in place for north bound motorists. The two lane access will be reinstated each morning. Speed restrictions will remain in place until necessary repairs to the road surface are completed, which is expected to take until the end of the week.
- Both lanes through State Highway 2 Athenree Gorge are now open, although speed restrictions will remain in place until all slip material has been removed from the area. This is likely to be later this week, weather dependent.
Ms Boyt says the cleanup is likely to continue for most of the week. "We are still asking drivers to take extreme care on the highways while we are clearing slips and reinstating access to state highways closed around the region due to the severe weather event earlier this week. Please drive to the conditions, and allow more time for your journey so that you can reach your destination safely."
