East Coast highway between Tikitiki and Te Araroa reopens 4pm today

The large slip on State Highway 35 at Punaruku, north of Te Araroa - a section of the severely damaged road visible to the right. SH35 between Tikitiki and Te Araroa is to fully reopen at 4pm today.

State Highway 35 between Te Araroa and Tikitiki will reopen fully from 4pm today with piloted convoys continuing to that time.

A convoy operated from 8am-8.30am, with another to follow from 11.30am and 1pm, before that stretch of road fully reopens from 4pm.

“That means two lanes of traffic will be open,” an NZ Transport Agency spokesman said.

“However, as crews continue the huge clean-up there will be some sections of this stretch of road still down to one lane, which means people need to drive with extreme care.”

A temporary lower speed will also be in place.

“Crews working in the area have mostly cleared large overslips off the road, while other crews continue repairing the road.

“While restoring access is important, doing it safely is critical, which means NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will be constantly monitoring the highway for possible risks,” he said.

“Te Araroa to Pōtaka will remain closed.

“The largest slip within the Pōtaka to Te Araroa stretch, the Punaruku slip, has been a focus of a safety assessment and work will begin on developing a track over it in the coming days.”