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Connecting Tairāwhiti

Traffic bulletin

2 August 2022

Relentless winter weather won’t stop the mahi

Recovery efforts are being tested by a wild winter across the East Coast, but crews are working tirelessly to get the roads back open following the latest downpours.

SH2 and SH35 are critical connections for communities, businesses and freight on the East Coast, and we acknowledge that closures have a major impact on those living, working and travelling along these routes. Restoring and maintaining safe access is our top priority and we really appreciate the patience and support shown as the emergency repairs continue.

In this issue, you will find an update on the status of key locations affected by the recent July rainfall and earlier March weather event.

Our teams are currently working through assessments, designs, consents and construction planning for the numerous sites around the coast. Our next issue will provide useful information on what the summer construction period will look like.



	Motu River Bridge Access to all traffic has been restored near the Motu River bridge, where the eastbound lane of SH35 collapsed into the Motu River in the Bay of Plenty following the heavy winter rain experienced in late July. The road is currently down to one lane with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction in place. Rock protection is being installed along the river edge to prevent further damage. Once we are confident the embankment is stable, our focus will shift to planning the full reinstatement of the road. Makarori Contractors are making good progress on the site of the slip at Makarori. A retaining wall to protect against further slips and erosion is currently being built.



	Kopuaroa Hill (north of Te Puia Springs) All traffic, including heavy vehicles with trailers, is on the move through Kopuaroa again. Heavy vehicles with trailers are permitted from 7:00am to 7:00pm only. During this time, the site will be monitored to ensure that quick action can be taken if issues arise. The site will remain under stop/go via traffic lights. We know the restriction on heavy vehicles with trailers was significant for transport operators and it was not something we took lightly. However, safety is our top priority at all times. Despite the rain, contractors are focused on getting things done well and done fast, to limit the impact on transport operators as much as possible. A longer-term solution for the Kopuaroa Hill site is currently going through the design phase as a high priority. It has funding attributed under the Provincial Growth Fund and construction is planned to start in early spring.

Tokomaru Bay, Huia Hill and north of Hicks Bay

Slips have been cleared and drop-outs repaired at Tokomaru Bay and Huia Hill, north of Hicks Bay, taking SH35 back to two lanes.

Repairs to a second drop-out north of Hicks Bay and repairs to the hillside at Busby’s Hill were set back by the recent downpour. Crews are working on both sites, with repairs to the Hicks Bay drop-out expected to be completed by spring.

Improvements are also being made to drainage north of Tokomaru Bay and scour (erosion of soil) protection from Busby’s Hill down to Tokomaru Bay over the next month.


	SH2 Waioeka Gorge through to Matawai State Highway 2, from the northern entry to the Waioeka Gorge through to Matawai, will be closed from 7:00am to 4:00pm on Wednesday 3 August to complete remedial work at two slip sites. SH2 will be closed between Waioeka Pa Road at the northern end and immediately west of Matawai at the southern end. This will allow the sluicing of a recent slip site above the Waioeka Gorge (pictured) to take place at the same time as a planned replacement of a culvert located on SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne approximately 7km from Matawai (on the southern approach to the Motu Bridge), where recent heavy rain caused an underslip that has reduced the width of SH2 to a single lane. During the closure period, residents from the local communities of Oponae and Wairata will only be able to head north to Ōpōtiki in an emergency. Access south to Matawai will depend on timing, as the road will not be passable when the culvert replacement is taking place. Emergency vehicles will have access through the site as required. Sluicing the slip site will allow loose material to be removed in a controlled manner, preventing the likelihood of further slips in the future.


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Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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Connecting Tairāwhiti

Traffic bulletin

Relentless winter weather won’t stop the mahi

Motu River Bridge

Kopuaroa Hill (north of Te Puia Springs)

Tokomaru Bay, Huia Hill and north of Hicks Bay

SH2 Waioeka Gorge through to Matawai

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