KEY POINTS:
Unrelenting heat in parts of the central North Island is causing bitumen on State Highway 5 between Taupo and Napier to melt, creating havoc for heavy truck drivers.
Transit Napier regional network manager Gordon Hart told NZPA he knew of at least two trucks which had come to grief on the highway today, but said it was likely there were others.
One truck had lost traction and become stuck in the soft bitumen at the top of a pass near Titiokura, about 50km north of Napier, this afternoon.
A second truck had attempted to pass the foundering vehicle, and also become stuck, blocking the passing lane.
Mr Hart said Transit had gritted the road, and would keep gritting affected sections while the high temperatures continued.
The temperatures in the region - with a high of 27 degrees in Napier today - were slightly cooler today than yesterday, but Mr Hart said the bitumen melt had resulted from the cumulative effect of several hot days and warm nights.
The road and pavements retained the heat, he said.
"It's been extremely hot and everything is melting on us," Mr Hart said.
"Yesterday was particularly hot and last night was hot so the roads did not get a chance to cool down."
Mr Hart said the difficulty some drivers experienced also related to how hot the truck's tyres were - if they had been driving a long time, or at high speeds, the vehicle was at more risk of struggling to get traction on melting bitumen.
He said any truck drivers on the highway should exercise caution while the high temperatures continued.
"Truck drivers using that road are well aware of the places where it's going to be an issue and just need to take care," he said.
- NZPA
