State Highway 35 from Pōtaka to Hicks Bay will open at 7am tomorrow and stay open.

The stretch of highway between Pōtaka in the west and Te Araroa was badly hit in January with heavy rain, flooding and slips.

A fortnight ago, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi was able to open this section of road to road users between 7am and 7pm daily.

Crews have been continuing to work on the damaged sections of road and as of tomorrow (Friday), the section of SH35 between Pōtaka and Hicks Bay will be open 24/7.

“Since opening during the day, crews have been continuing to clear more of the slip and get it ready for safe, night time driving,” says NZTA Incident Controller Richard Bayley.

“That included excavating more material to widen the road around the Waikura slip, putting more metal down on the ground and completing new drainage work, to keep water away from the road.

“Opening the road at night has been the goal, but it can only be done when the area is safe for everyone. That’s why Hicks Bay to Te Araroa will still be closed at night, at this stage. This is where a quarter of a million cubic metres of soil and rocks fell down onto the road.

“People will need to take care, drive to the conditions and be aware that at night, like during the day, there will be lower speeds in place and a lot of traffic management. Please respect the restrictions – they’re there to keep everyone safe.

“Work is continuing as quickly as possible to get the Hicks Bay to Te Araroa stretch open 24/7 as well.

“SH35 is an important connection to Gisborne for all the local communities up and down that road – and it’ll be a great day when we can restore the full connection at night.”