Monday’s wet weather, which caused widespread flooding at Waihī Beach, also left its mark on State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Waihī.
The storm caused slips and localised flooding, leaving debris on the road at numerous locations. Clearing this ahead of King’s Birthday weekend has been a priority, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said.
Work at the SH25 McBeth-Opoutere underslip has continued and from June 6, trucks without trailers will once again be able to travel on SH25 between Hikuai and Whangamatā.
South of Whenuakite at the Tairua Quarry culvert, Waka Kotahi is continuing to stabilise riverbanks and reconstruct drainage.
Meanwhile, SH25’s Moana Anu Anu Bridge (also known as the Wentworth River Bridge) will be closed to all traffic from 7am to 5pm Friday 9 June, for essential maintenance work. The bridge, which is located near the intersection of Tairua and Port roads, requires strengthening due to deterioration of some of the piles.
The work involves installing two new steel piles, one at each side of the bridge, and a new steel beam supporting the ends of the main bridge beams.
Over on State Highway 2, work is continuing through June to improve the resilience and safety of the road through Karangahake Gorge.
The gorge, now a key gateway to the Coromandel, has suffered numerous slips during wet weather this year.
Last week contractors and arborists began inspecting cliffs above the road near the Crown Hill Road turn off at the Karangahake Village. That work saw abseilers checking for loose debris or vegetation which needs to be removed to improve the cliff’s stability.
Further work is needed to complete this and will likely be carried out during overnight closures later this month. Waka Kotahi has advised it will give advance notice once dates for the works are confirmed.
