Highways closed: cracked road collapses into river on SH35

Gorge slip: One of two slips in the Waioeka Gorge on State Highway 2 today. Picture supplied

Gisborne motorists woke this morning to find routes to the Bay of Plenty cut off as two highways were closed due to slips.

State Highway 35 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne has been closed at Motu River after a section of the road collapsed last night.

Traffic had been reduced to a single lane at that location since Monday due to the large crack in the road.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency last night confirmed the lane collapsed along the centre line, with the eastbound lane falling into the river.

Due to a large slip at Oponae and two smaller slips in the Waioeka Gorge, State Highway 2 was closed just before 3am between Opotiki (SH35) and Te Wera Road, Matawai. It repoened to one lane just before midday.

“It's estimated around 200 tonnes of earth has come down on to the road between Matawai and Ōpōtiki,” a Waka Kotahi statement said.

No detours were available at the time.

Earlier last night, Waka Kotahi advised drivers in the East Coast and Bay of Plenty that slips and washouts on the state highway network were restricting access for heavy vehicles.

“The state highway network has been hit hard by the recent severe weather, with slips, drop-outs and flooding in a number of locations,” a spokesperson said.

“Crews are actively monitoring the network to ensure the safety of all road users. The situation at each of the emergency works sites around the East Coast and Bay of Plenty is evolving.”

At Kopuaroa north of Te Puia Springs, due to the risk of truck rollovers and the narrow lane width at Kopuaroa, SH35 will be closed to heavy vehicles with trailers after 11.59pm from tomorrow.

“Truck and trailer units travelling before 11.59pm Friday will need to proceed with caution through the site,” the spokesperson said.

“After 11.59pm tomorrow, heavy vehicles with trailers will be turned around at Ruatoria and Te Puia Springs.

“Heavy vehicles without trailers will be allowed through the site.”

The underslip site north of Matawai on SH2 also has restrictions.

“Over-dimension vehicles are not able to access the site from now due to the narrow width of the lane.

“All currently permitted over-dimension loads are to check with the Downer Gisborne offices prior to leaving Gisborne in the north or entering the Waioeka Gorge from the south.

“Heavy vehicles are able to access the site.”