Detour expected for light vehicles on East Coast

State Highway 35 south of Tokomaru Bay has been blocked by a slip since Tuesday. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A long detour around a section of State Highway 35 south of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast, which has been blocked by a slip since Tuesday, is expected to be open later today.

NZ Transport Agency regional director Jenny Chetwynd said NZTA was working to have the alternative route open to light traffic only (single axle vehicles) from late this afternoon.

The detour would be signposted, be about 30km long and add up to an hour to motorists' journey times. It would run from Mata Road just south of Busby's Hill, through Tuakau Road, to Ihungia Road just north of Te Puia Springs.

Sections were narrow, unsealed and NZTA recommended it only be used for essential travel.

"Unfortunately this alternative route will not be suitable for heavy vehicles until urgent improvements have been made. We expect this work to take around a week," Ms Chetwynd said.

The only available detour for heavy vehicles was via Opotiki on SH2.

"We have geotechnical engineers assessing the stability of the Busby's Hill site, and that'll help us gauge the extent of the problem and determine the best solution to secure this section of highway in the long-run.

"We appreciate this closure may cause inconvenience to motorists and to truckies in particular, but the section of state highway that has moved is not currently stable enough for vehicles to drive on safely.

"The local community have been very patient, and we trust this alternative route will help people to make important journeys and get essential supplies through."

Ms Chetwynd said NZTA would investigate longer-term solutions to help prevent the slip recurring.

Dozens of residents north of Gisborne were evacuated on Tuesday after rivers threatened to overflow their banks, but were allowed home next day.

- NZPA