Source: Radio New Zealand
Supplied / NZTA
State Highway 35 is set to reopen, once more connecting Tairāwhiti to the eastern Bay of Plenty.
It has been three weeks since heavy rainfall and flooding brought down multiple slips, closing the road between Pōtaka and Te Araroa.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said a quarter of a million cubic metres of rocks and soil came down in the Punaruku slip, and workers had shifted 25,000 cubic metres of it to restore access.
“While there have been multiple slips along this stretch of state highway, the focus has been on two particular areas – the Waikura slip between Pōtaka and Hicks Bay, and the largest slip of all, the Punaruku slip, closer to Te Araroa.”
The Transport Agency confirmed the section of SH35 from Pōtaka through to Hicks Bay and around to Te Araroa would be open daily between 7am and 7pm, starting on Thursday.
Outside of those hours, crews would continue work on repairs.
“We know how important this is for medical appointments, to replenish supplies and reconnect with family and friends,” Bishop said.
The road remained fragile, and work would continue for some time.
“People travelling through will need to remember to take extreme care – the journey will take longer, the road will be down to single lane in multiple locations, and lower speeds and traffic management will be in place,” Bishop said.
Te Araroa Civil Defence said to expect 45-minute delays, and the road was not suitabe for truck and trailer units, or any vehicle over 18 tonnes on the Pōtaka to Hicks Bay section.
However, there were no restrictions on weight or length on the section between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
