Waka Kotahi Bay of Plenty transport systems manager Roger Brady said contractors worked urgently yesterday to clear enough material, including large fallen trees, to allow the road to safely reopen to a single lane. They would be working to clear the remainder of the slip.
“Our contractors have done a great job to get a lane open so quickly,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to do, and we’re asking people to drive safely through the site and comply with the temporary speed restrictions which are in place to keep drivers and workers safe.”
Geotechnical engineers would continue to monitor the site closely to manage any risks of further debris coming down on to the road. This means the road may need to close again if weather or visibility deteriorated.
“We know how important this connection is for residents and businesses in the area, and we’re doing everything possible to stabilise the site and keep the road open, but the safety of road users and roadworkers is our top priority and we won’t hesitate to close the road again if needed.”