Convoys are being allowed through the Waioweka Gorge to facilitate essential travel between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne, while NZTA crews work to clean up the road.
NZTA said crews are currently working on widening the road at the Goldsmith slip site, one of the large slips on the Ōpōtiki end of the gorge.
“They have now moved the barriers near the Waioweka Monument slip site to form a debris catch zone. More signs and cones will be placed around the slip.”
“Convoys are likely to continue for at least another 2 weeks while work continues at the Goldsmith slip site,” said NZTA.
“Single-lane areas remain, including the narrowest point at Goldsmiths (4.5m).”
It is reminding people of how fragile the road is, and convoys can be cancelled any time at short notice.
“SH2 through the Gorge is still a fragile worksite. Each time a convoy passes through, recovery work must pause to keep everyone safe.”
NZTA said longer convoys give crews less time to work, “which slows down progress at the slip site.”
“Convoys are for essential travel only and will only proceed if safe to do so. Please follow the direction of the crew on the ground at all times.”
Convoys run from 7am every day, if weather and road conditions permit.
Gisborne bound convoys depart Goldsmith Reserve at 7:00am, 11:00am, and 5pm.
Motorists Ōpōtiki bound leave at 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 7:00pm from the Te Wera Road intersection in Matawai.
The gorge closed after a storm in January caused around 40 slips, damaging and blocking a large portion of the road.
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