The road has been blocked since Monday afternoon when a truck spilled some of its hazardous chemical load - epoxy resin and ferric chloride - before careering down a steep bank.
The truck driver, a 63-year-old Rotorua man, was killed. His name has not yet been released by the police.
The highway was expected to reopen at midday today, but a fire communications spokesman said crews were this afternoon still removing the chemical-filled drums.
"Once we've got those out we'll be able to retrieve the truck."
Shortly after 4pm a spokesman for the New Zealand Fire Service said they had completed all the recovery work they needed to do.
"We've now handed over to Environment Bay of Plenty," he said.
He was unaware when the road would reopen, but was happy with how the clean up had gone.
As at 5pm a New Zealand Transport Agency spokeswoman said she did not know when the road would reopen.
"We will be waiting for the police to let us know the road is safe," said Natalie Mankelow,
media manager Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
A spokeswoman for Bay of Plenty Regional Council was also unaware when the road would reopen.
To check the road status before you travel go to www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic.
