Due to a new large slip in the Waiotahe Beach area, State Highway 2 is closed between Waiotahe Valley Back Rd & Paerata Ridge Rd, west of Ōpōtiki, and is expected to be closed for much of the day today.
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4.50pm update: State Highway 2 Waiotahe Beach slip State Highway 2 at Waiotahe Beach will remain closed tonight between Waiotahi Valley Back Road and Paerata Ridge Road, due to a slip. This morning’s slip is around 200 cubic metres in size and has occurred at the same location of a much larger slip, which saw over 10 thousand cubic metres of material close the road 12 days ago. Geotechnical engineers will return tomorrow morning to assess the risk to road users and contractors. Depending on the result of the inspection, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency anticipates the clean-up will get underway tomorrow morning and the road will reopen by tomorrow evening. This information updates the bulletin below. |
The slip came down in the early hours of this morning following a period of heavy rain in the region.
Contractors are on route.
The detour is via Waiotahe Valley Back Road, Verrall Road and Paerata Ridge Road. It is not suitable for HPMV.
Expect long delays with heavy vehicle freight piloted through this detour route periodically, or consider using an alternative route:
This slip follows another large slip on this stretch of highway on October 19, where approximately 10,000 cubic metres of material came down onto the road.
The region has experienced significant rainfall, coastal surges and strong winds this year, all of which puts pressure on a roading network that is already susceptible to unstable geology.
Showers are expected to ease in the area this morning, but drivers are reminded to take care and drive to the conditions.
This traffic bulletin will be updated as more information comes to hand.
