Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A stretch of State Highway 35 near Opape in the eastern Bay of Plenty is now under stop/go traffic management as work continues to repair an underslip.
Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC), on behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), is completing the work, using gabion (rock filled) walls to repair a 5-metre long underslip.
Work is expected to finish in April. Once work is complete, this stretch of state highway will be back to 2 lanes.
During work hours (Monday to Friday, 6am til 6pm) the crew will use stop/go signs to direct vehicles through the 1 lane site.
Outside these hours, a give-way system will be operating. Vehicles travelling in 1 direction are given priority to pass through, while those coming from the opposite direction wait until the way is clear – just like if you were using a 1 lane bridge.
Please slow down, stay alert, and follow all instructions to help keep both road users and our crews safe.
Coming soon: Slip repairs on SH35 in Tōrere
Also in the eastern Bay of Plenty, TREC is also starting to plan work to repair 2 slips on SH35 by Te Kura O Tōrere.
This is a big piece of mahi, that will take around 6 months. There isn’t much space on the highway, so we will set up a worksite on Kura grounds. We’re working with staff and others to plan for this and will share more information shortly.
While repairs are underway, this section of highway will be down to one lane for up to six months. Drivers will need to plan for delays of up to 10 minutes.
Thanks for your patience
Repairing our highways after Cyclone Gabrielle is a huge job that has been underway for more than a year now. Thanks for your patience and cooperation.
The good news is that we’re almost finished – most recovery work will be complete by July 2025 and we will transition from smaller recovery works into larger projects at Mangahauini Gorge, Hikuwai Bridge No.1 replacement, Rototahe and Nesbitt’s Dip.
