The state highway between Hikuai and Opoutere will only be open for a short period at midday today, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advised. The road will be closed for much of the afternoon, and is expected to reopen at 8pm under stop/go management.
There will also be possible periods of full closure on Saturday and Sunday, although it is expected to largely be open.
Lengthy delays are expected for motorists.
Waka Kotahi said only light vehicles would be allowed on the road today.
The agency said it’s an evolving situation and the road will need to shut if there’s any additional cracking.
Arborists have removed vegetation to allow a digger to increase the width and length of cut into the bank, allowing traffic to keep as far away from the underslip as possible.
Waka Kotahi has acknowledged the frustration this disruption has caused for folks in the Coromandel, and has noted that crews are working around the clock.
Geotechnical investigations will also continue today to help inform a permanent fix for this section of the state highway.
