Hopes Ōpōtiki slip site cleared by Friday afternoon

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi hopes to have the major slip site on State Highway 2 north of Ōpōtiki cleared and the highway reopened sometime tomorrow.

State Highway 2 north of Ōpōtiki at Waiotahe Beach will remain closed until tomorrow as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi contractors continue to clean up a major slip site.

Clearance of the slip blocking both lanes of State Highway 2 at the beach began Tuesday afternoon.

SH2 remains closed between Waiotahi Valley Back Rd and Paerata Ridge Rd due to the slip which fell overnight on Sunday.

Pōhutukawa trees above the slip face were removed by arborists with the assistance of a digger pulling the trees back on to farmland.

“Unfortunately, the trees were at high risk of falling on to the road and could not be left in place,” an NZTA spokesman said yesterday.

“Once that risk had been remedied, our contractors were able to remove the slip material from the base.

“The fine weather forecast until the weekend should aid in progress, but it’s expected SH2 will need to remain closed here until Friday afternoon.

“Our team are working hard and the highway will open sooner if possible,” the spokesman said.

“We will update the community and road users as soon as we have more information.

A detour remains in place for light vehicles but not for heavy vehicles.