NZTA confirms SH35 to reopen to light vehicles on Monday
17 Jul 2009 | Media releases
Napier Regional Office
The NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that it will reopen State Highway 35 at Busby’s Hill to light vehicles on Monday morning, weather permitting.
NZTA Acting State Highways Manager Mark Owen says the NZTA plans to open one lane of the highway at Busby’s Hill from 7am onwards on Monday 20 July to light vehicles, ending a closure of nearly three weeks.
“We’re thrilled to be in a position to reopen the route to light vehicles just in time for kids to get back to school. It’s been a long wait, and it’s great news for the local community, who have been so patient and supportive over the last three weeks,” says Mr Owen.
“My hat goes off to our contractors and geotechnical specialists, who have worked very hard over the last two and a half weeks to drain the hillside and stabilise the slump.
“Thanks also to Gisborne District Council, who have provided the valuable alternative route, which has kept these communities connected.”
Mr Owen says the NZTA will be escorting school buses across SH35 throughout the week to ensure students can get to and from school with minimal delay.
“Our top priority is to offer safe access around the coast for the people who live there, and we’ll be closely monitoring the highway to ensure it remains stable and secure,”
A detour route provided by the Gisborne District Council has been in place since early last week following the closure of SH35 at Busby’s Hill south of Tokomaru Bay earlier this month due to severe slumping of the hillside. Heavy vehicles will be required to continue using the alternative route for approximately another week until the Busby’s Hill site is stable enough to safely travel across.
The NZTA is in regular consultation with commercial vehicle operators and will confirm when SH35 is stable enough to allow heavy vehicles to use it.
The NZTA reminds motorists to check www.highwayinfo.govt.nz for up-to-date information on highway conditions and closures.
The NZTA will continue to issue updates as developments arise.
Alternative route for truckies:
The alternative route comprises Mata Road south of Busby’s Hill, Tuakau Road, and Ihungia Road just north of Te Puia Springs, For safety reasons, Tuakau Road will still be restricted to one way traffic alternating each hour with northbound traffic through on the odd hours (7am, 9am etc) and southbound traffic on the even hours(8am, 10am etc). Entry into Tuakau Road will be manned on a 24 hour basis, with traffic between 5pm and 7am being let through on a first come first served basis. The road will be open for 15 minute periods at the start of each hour. This is to allow contractors to carry out essential maintenance on the alternative route. This means vehicles should try to arrive at the junction on the hour. If existing queues take longer than 15 minutes to clear, all queuing traffic will be allowed through.
The NZTA advises that the route is narrow with a metal road surface, and all truckies are asked to drive with caution and observe the 50km/h speed restrictions. Truckies are advised to allow an extra hour for their journeys when using the alternative route.
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Communications Adviser
M : 027 309 8725
E : anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
