Waka Kotahi says contractors in Gisborne are putting in a huge effort to open up critical transport lifelines to allow essential goods and services to reach isolated communities.
“This work is our absolute number one priority, and we are directing all of our available people and resources to the task. Our contractors are putting in a massive effort in very difficult conditions, and thanks to their work, limited access has been established to hard-hit areas,” says Waka Kotahi National Emergency Response Team spokesperson Wayne Oldfield.
“Our immediate priority is ensuring that key freight routes are stable and secure so that supplies can be delivered to the Gisborne region. Contractors have been working throughout the weekend to secure as much of the state highway network around the region as possible,” Mr Oldfield says.
SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne and SH2 between Gisborne and Wairoa are both currently open to the public between 7am and 7pm. With slips still moving and debris coming down on the road surface the road cannot yet be safely opened for travel at night.
Several other state highway routes in the region remain closed. The on-line Waka Kotahi Journey Planner is being continually updated with the latest available information on state highway closures and restrictions. Those who are unable to access the internet at this stage are asked to tune to local radio for the latest Civil Defence advice. Local programmes are on The Breeze 97.5 and The Hits 89.5 and Civil Defence information on Newstalk ZB 96.7.
Journey Planner(external link)
“We are hugely thankful to the hard-working men and women on our contracting crews who are doing the hard yards to re-open these critical transport links. Many of these people live in areas which have been badly affected by the storm, and they are getting on with this vital work even as their own friends and families are affected,” says Mr Oldfield.
