Coromandel’s State Highway 25 closed overnight after further movement under slip

State Highway 25 between Hikuai and Opoutere will be closed overnight after Waka Kotahi said there was further movement under a slip on the road.

Roading contractors were to keep building an access track around the slip this evening.

Earlier today, the road was opened for light vehicle use under stop-go traffic management.

Any decisions on whether to reopen a lane will depend on inspections tomorrow morning.

This morning, drivers were told to expect delays while contractors continue working to stabilise the road and widen the surface.

The road was closed early on Monday morning following a washout caused by heavy rain over the weekend.

The fresh flash floods forced the closure of a section of one of Coromandel’s main highways with no detours available

State Highway 25 was shut between Hikuai and Whangamatā due to the washout but was opened again on Monday evening.

State Highway 25 between Hikuai and Opoutere remains open for light vehicles for essential travel only due to further deterioration of the underslip.Photo Waka Kotahi

The highway was reopened at the end of last month after access was cut off during Cyclone Gabrielle.

A main route through the Coromandel Peninsula was closed after several severe weather events in just weeks.

An aerial view of State Highway 25A at the end of January. Photo / Philip Hart

State Highway 25A - one of the main tourist routes for holidaymakers heading to the Thames-Coromandel region - was closed in January after the formation of deep cracks, slips and flooding damage from ex-Cyclone Hale.

The road is expected to be closed for up to a year.

• For updates on road closures, and to plan ahead for potential delays caused by slips or roadworks, visit www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz