MEDIA RELEASE
Date/Time: Update 6
4 June 2018, 1.15pm

State Highway 35 open to traffic again

State Highway 35 is open to traffic after being closed for several hours today at Mangatuna and Whangara.

The river water had been lapping the Waiomoko Bridge at Whangara but this has since receded.

On behalf of Tairawhiti Roads and Downer, journey manager Helen Harris thanked the many farmers who got out in difficult conditions and helped open local roads.

This is a “beaver dam” under the Mangtokerau Bridge north of Tolaga Bay. This bridge was washed away in Cyclone Bola in 1988 and rebuilt.

We are coordinating our resources with Eastland Network to ensure they have the access they need to restore power to affected residents.

The Paroa and Mangatokerau roads at Tolaga Bay will be closed until 5pm Wednesday with an update due midday Wednesday.

Helen Harris said there was considerable slash across both of these roads which will require heavy machinery to remove and enable the roads to be opened.

Other roads closed are Pa Road, Waiomoko, Arakihi, Kiore Road, Anaura Bay Road, Kaiaua, Waihau Bay, Glenroy and Tauwhareparae.

“We expect to have updates for these at noon tomorrow. We hope to have the roads open by 5pm tomorrow.

“The problem for us and for our contractors is that we can’t do much until the floodwaters have receded. Machinery will just get stuck. We plan to open roads progressively throughout this time.

“We are equally aware that we have another downpour from later tonight. The land is inundated with rain and there is the potential for further issues including slips and road closures.”

She asks people to contact GDC 06 8672049 or 0800 653 800 to report all road issues.

“We rely on residents informing us about any issues across the district.”

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