SH2 finally reopens after slip

The section of State Highway 2 closed by a large slip between Gisborne and Opotiki is open to traffic today with short delays for trucks.

Transit New Zealand regional manager Hilton Netterville said a single lane had been cleared on the existing highway for heavy vehicles to use and a diversion track had been put around the slip area for all other traffic.

An estimated 2000cu m of land slipped on to the road near Te Karaka on Sunday following heavy rain.

Mr Netterville said it was hoped the highway would have been cleared enough to re-open two lanes by late tomorrow or Saturday morning.

He said the slip would be cut back to a safe distance from the highway and left like that until September when it was likely to have dried out. It would then be stabilised.

Clearing the entire slip was unrealistic, Mr Netterville said.

"I think we have to accept that the topography has been changed and it's not economically viable to pick it all up and cart it away."

- NZPA