Urgent work will take place over four days in the next fortnight to remove hazardous trees alongside State Highway 2 north of Te Karaka.
The trees have become a hazard to road users, following the weekend’s weather event, as the heavy rainfall has made the ground around them unstable.
It’s estimated around 200 truckloads of trees will need to be removed during each closure.
Specialist contractors will initially be working onsite next Monday (17 July) and Tuesday (18 July) to remove the trees. They’ll need to return to site the following Monday (24 July) and Tuesday (25 July) to repeat the process.
During the closure, the trees will be felled and removed from the road – some will be mulched onsite, while others will be taken away to be mulched elsewhere.
A section of SH2 between Whatatutu Road and Makaretu Road will close during these days (between 8.30 am and 4.30pm) to accommodate the safe removal of the trees.
Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay / Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz says the road will remain open outside these hours.
“In addition to keeping the road open outside working hours, there will be a daily convoy (lasting one hour, between midday and 1pm). The convoy will leave Whatatutu Road at midday. The convoy will depart Makaretu Road in the opposite direction at 12.30.
“Stop/go traffic control will remain in place following the closures for the safety of all road users.
“This is a crucial stretch of road for communities and for the freight industry – we want to minimise disruption as much as possible.”
