The piloted convoy between Tikitiki and Te Araroa on State Highway 35 will be extended for residents and essential services from tomorrow.

SH35 in Tairāwhiti is now open from Gisborne through to Taurangakoau Bridge, which is about 3 kilometres south of Te Araroa.

The road remains closed between Pōtaka in the west and the Taurangakoau Bridge.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi incident controller Richard Bayley says offering the chance for daily convoys between Taurangakoau Bridge and Te Araroa today and yesterday has been a crucial life line for many residents and deliveries. He says to support the delivery of more goods through to Te Araroa, the midday convoy tomorrow and Thursday will be extended.

The convoy times on Wednesday and Thursday are as follows:

• 8:00am – 8:30am (30 minutes)
• 11:30am – 1:30pm (2 hours)
• 4:00pm – 4:30pm (30 minutes)

During these times, traffic management crews will pilot vehicles to/from Te Araroa through Taurangakoau Bridge. Please take extra care when travelling through this area - active tree removal worksites are in place and opening and closing times are strictly enforced.

“During further on-the-ground inspections today, Geotech inspectors have noted a large number of high risk sites where slips are still moving or generally unsafe for public.

“We can’t stress enough the importance that these convoys are kept only for residents and essential services – please avoid travelling them if you don’t need to be in the area,” says Mr Bayley.