SH35 now open between Ōpōtiki and Punaruku slip site

More of State Highway 35 has now reopened.

Crews on the Bay of Plenty side of SH35 have been working through the morning to clear fallen trees and debris between Ōpōtiki and Hicks Bay.

The road is now open between Ōpōtiki and the Punaruku slip site east of Hicks Bay.  SH35 is open from the slip site through to Gisborne.

As at 2pm:

• SH35 between Ōpōtiki and Hicks Bay is now OPEN
• SH35 Punaruku slip site remains CLOSED to road users. Restricted access is available for emergency services and local residents.
• SH35 between Punaruku slip site and Gisborne is OPEN
• SH2 between Ormond and Matawai is OPEN
• SH2 through Waioweka Gorge is also OPEN and convoys have lifted
• SH2 between Wairoa and Muriwai is OPEN

On all parts of the state highway network, please continue to drive with caution. Contractors will be a familiar sight for the coming days as they continue to clear other debris and any minor slips.

As a result, there will be traffic management in a number of places and temporary lower speeds. Please adhere to the directions from traffic management and take care.

While the rain has cleared and the winds have calmed down, please continue to drive safely.

River levels may still rise as water continues to make its way down from the ranges. Please be alert to the possibility of further debris or slips around both regions.

Update 11am

State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Muriwai has reopened.

Crews have cleared fallen trees on the road, and will continue clearing other debris during the day.

As at 11am:

SH2 between Ormond and Matawai is now OPEN

SH2 between Wairoa and Muriwai is now OPEN

SH35 between Punaruku slip site and Gisborne is OPEN

SH35 remains CLOSED between Ōpōtiki and Punaruku slip site.

On SH2 north of Gisborne, Waioweka Gorge is currently open under convoy traffic until midday. This is due to small rocks on the road which may cause vehicle damage.

While the rain has cleared and the winds have calmed down, please continue to drive safely.

River levels may still rise as water continues to make its way down from the ranges. Please be alert to the possibility of further debris or slips around both regions.

Crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to ensure additional stretches of state highway can be reopened and access restored.

As crews continue the cleanup, please take care and be aware of traffic management in places and adhere to lower speeds.

Update 10am

SH35 reopens through to Punaruku slip site

State Highway 35 has now reopened between Gisborne and Punaruku slip site. 

Crews have now cleared the last of the fallen trees blocking the road.

Please continue to drive to the conditions as there is likely still to be debris on the road. Crews will continue the cleanup during the day.

We expect to be able to open the Punaruku slip site later this morning and at this stage it remains closed through to Ōpōtiki.

Update 8:45am

The clean up is continuing on the state highway network around Tairāwhiti following the impact from Cyclone Vaianu over the weekend.

Crews and engineers have been out assessing the network this morning.

As at 8.45am:

SH2 between Ormond and Matawai is now OPEN. Waioweka Gorge remains closed for now.

SH2 between Wairoa and Muriwai remains CLOSED.

SH35 between Ōpōtiki to Okitu, just north of Gisborne, remains CLOSED.

In Hawke’s Bay SH50 Breakwater Road between the intersection with Hardinge Road and Coote Road has been reopened. It was closed overnight due to the risk of rockfall from Bluff Hill.

On SH35, crews have reported 15 large trees down on SH35 between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay; and similarly, on SH2 between Wairoa and Muriwai, crews are working to clear debris and fallen trees.

While the rain has cleared and the winds have calmed down in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, please continue to drive safely.

River levels may still rise as water continues to make its way down from the ranges. Please be alert to the possibility of further debris or slips around both regions.

Crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to ensure these roads are reopened and access is restored.