Waioeka Gorge to remain open during daylight hours

In Uncategorized2 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineJuly 5, 2018

Following a slip that closed the Waioeka Gorge in June, the NZ Transport Agency has advised that State Highway 2 through the gorge will remain open to a single lane operating between 7.30am and 5pm.

NZTA regional transport system manager Rob Campbell says there are still concerns over the stability of the slip site and continuous monitoring is required. He said barriers were installed around the site to capture any falling material and traffic control methods had been tightened to ensure motorists didn‘t experience unnecessary delays.

A new section of road is being built around the site, which is expected to take two weeks to complete. Construction on this is underway. Once complete, 24-hour road access will be restored.

From today, Thursday 5 July, traffic will be allowed to access the Waioeka Gorge earlier, from 7am, and wait closer to the slip site so they can drive through at 7.30am when it opens.

“If you do enter the gorge early and it is decided the slip site will be closed for the day there is room to turn around and take the alternative route,” says Campbell.

“We want to also remind people that there is a 30km/h speed restriction in place through the site. This is for the safety of our construction team and people travelling through. There is a lot of activity happening in the constrained environment.”

Contractors are working seven days a week on the site, and the NZTA is committed to reopening SH2 through the Waioeka Gorge as quickly as possible to get businesses running as usual and to reconnect communities. This is balanced with the need to prioritise safety of workers and road users.

If travelling after 5pm motorists are asked to use SH5 or SH35 as an alternative route, bearing in mind these alternative routes will add significant time to the trip.

 

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