SH2 at Waimana Gorge expected to reopen to one lane later today

SH2 Waimana Gorge remains closed following slip, expected to reopen to one lane later today

A helicopter carrying a monsoon bucket will drop thousands of litres of water above State Highway 2 (SH2) in the Waimana Gorge today as work to clear a slip blocking the road continues.

The highway, which links Taneatua and Opotiki has been closed at Waimana since 3.30am yesterday (Monday August 8) when a large amount of rocks and other material came down following heavy rain.

The detour is via Whakatane and Ohope.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty highways manager, Niclas Johansson says SH2 at Waimana is expected to re-open to one lane by early this evening.

“This is a large slip, approximately 2000 cubic metres of material has come down and our contractors have been working hard to clear it and get the road open again,” he says.

“The helicopter will help bring down any unstable material above the slip. Once this is complete, concrete barriers will be installed and one lane will open to traffic under stop/go traffic management so drivers can get through.

“At this stage we expect to have one lane open this evening however people will experience delays of five to 10 minutes due to the traffic management onsite.”

Stop/go traffic management will remain in place until the site is assessed as safe to fully reopen.

Another update will be sent out at 5pm today.

Photographs of the slip and of the helicopter at work can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6sc3cr3atq71uxp/AADyn0UYb8T7WmtJP2Co9oTNa?dl=0

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