Stop/Go in Waioweka Gorge From Monday

NZTA said from Monday, during the early morning and early evening stop/go traffic management will be in place for both Ōpōtiki and Gisborne bound traffic.

The stop/go system will control access through the Goldsmith slip site, letting all traffic in both directions pass between 5am and 7am, as well as 6pm to 8pm. 
In between those periods, from 7am to 6pm there will be an hourly release of traffic, on the hour. 

NZTA advise motorists to travel through the Gorge in the early morning and evening where possible to avoid long delays. 

The stop/go points will be in place at Goldsmith reserve for Gisborne bound traffic, and 1km north of the Oponae rest area for Ōpōtiki bound traffic. 

Spider Digger operating at the Goldsmith slip site  IMAGE: NZTA

NZTA continue to "encourage travellers to consider whether their trip is essential and to plan ahead."

It said, motorists should be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change. 

It said the changes allow work to continue uninterrupted at the Goldsmith slip site for long periods, "bringing us closer to reopening the road to normal two‑way traffic."

A spider digger has been working at the site within a narrow valley above the slip to unblock a stream and lower the risk of further land movement.