Kopu-Hikuai Highway re-opens after safety concerns

Cracks in SH25A were attributed to rain brought by Cyclone Hale.

The Kopu-Hikuai Highway re-opened on January 18 following an inspection of cracks that appeared in the road structure of State Highway 25A on January 16.

After numerous cracks were identified and investigated in the road structure on Monday, January 16, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency made the decision to close State Highway 25A (SH25A) due to the potential risk of the cracks worsening.

The highway between Kopu and Hikuai was closed from January 17 for a 12-hour period from morning to night, which was followed by an overnight closure on January 18.

“The cracks have appeared following Cyclone Hale, which caused flooding and numerous slips across the Coromandel Peninsula. As there are numerous cracks we need to understand what is happening before we allow road users through this area,” Rob Campbell, the regional manager for maintenance and operations at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, said.

“We can look back to August last year when cracks appeared on State Highway 35 near the Motu River in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. That situation moved rapidly, and we lost a lane to the river within days of the cracks first appearing. While that may not happen here, we cannot take any chances.”

With SH25A closed, road users needed to use State Highway 2 through the Karangahake Gorge or State Highway 25 around the Coromandel Peninsula to travel to and from summer hotspots such as Whitianga and Whangamatā.

While it is too early to say whether the road will again be closed over the upcoming long weekends, Campbell encourages road users to plan ahead for any trip.

“The alternative routes will add at least half an hour to travel times,” he said.

“With temperatures rising and sunny days on the horizon, fatigue can set in earlier than usual. Use the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner to understand the best route for your journey, plan your rest stops, and enjoy the journey.”