Cracked Coromandel highway reopens, images show large fissures across road

A major route to one holiday hotspot will open tomorrow during the day and will be closed at night due to huge cracks across the road.

Waka Kotahi NZTA said the main highway linking western and eastern Coromandel will only open between 7am and 7pm under stop/go traffic management until further notice.

The council said “there is no indication” of when the restrictions on State Highway 25A, between Kōpu and Hikuai, would be lifted.

An image shows large fissures across lanes on the highway and the Thames-Coromandel District Council said on Facebook that it could close at any time if conditions became unsafe.

Severe cracks have emerged on the Kopu-Hikuai Highway, prompting the road's closure. Photo / Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Earlier, geotechnical assessments were being carried out on the highway and motorists were advised to use State Highway 25 as a detour.

The council said earlier a slip was “imminent” and the road was not safe to drive on due to the cracks close to the top of the summit from the Kōpu side.

Three people have been critically injured after a two-car crash on SH25A in the Thames-Coromandel District. Photo / Google

The council earlier said the cracks across the highway that resulted in its closure earlier this week were being closely monitored.

Motorists were being encouraged to use alternative routes such as via SH2 Waihi or SH25 Whangapoua Hill.