Slip closes SH2 between Napier and Wairoa for second time in a week

The slip on Sunday morning not far from the Waikare Bailey bridge. Photo / Mahia Restoration Trust

State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa was closed early on Sunday due to a slip - and will remain closed overnight Sunday.

The slip happened between Pūtōrino and Kotemaori, near the Waikare Bailey bridge, and the road was closed about 3.45am.

Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to the slip, which initially blocked both lanes of the road near the intersection with Waikare Road.

A geotechnical assessment carried out this afternoon has advised more work needs to be done before the stretch of road can safely open.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency Hawke’s Bay/Tairāwhiti system manager Martin Colditz says crews have been working all day to clear the slips, but a closure is needed overnight to ensure the safety of everyone wanting to use the road.

“Having to remain closed overnight is disappointing but necessary given the risk of more material coming down.

“Crews from both the northern and southern sides of the slip will be back at site tomorrow morning to re-assess the slip and continue work to clear it.

“Contractors are on-site and geotechnical evaluation is needed,” a Waka Kotahi alert read.

“The route can only be re-opened once it is safe to do so.”

It is the second time in a week the major road has been closed due to slips.

Last Sunday, November 26, a slip on SH2 just south of Wairoa resulted in a fatal crash about 4am that morning, when a car hit the slip in the dark.

The highway has been undergoing road works since Cyclone Gabrielle hit in February, which caused extensive damage to the road which connects Napier and Gisborne.

Waka Kotahi stated its Journey Planner had the closure information up around 5am on Sunday and the first social media posts were up just before 9am, letting people know of the closure.