From 7am tomorrow (Friday 22 April), the entire length of State Highway 35 will be open to traffic 24 hours a day for the first time since last month’s significant weather event.
The section between Tokomaru Bay and Te Puia Springs was most significantly impacted by the recent storms, with the Mangahuini River causing substantial erosion and drop-outs along the route. It was reopened between the hours of 7am and 7pm on Friday 8 April.
Waka Kotahi National Journey Manager Helen Harris says being able to fully open this final section is terrific, but advises people to continue to drive with care.
“Our teams have worked night and day, through relentless weather and challenging working conditions to reconnect our communities, but we’re not there yet. What you see on our network will be like this for some time.
“The impact on our roads is major and while it may now be open, some areas remain unstable and changeable. Motorists need to remain alert and expect the unexpected while travelling.”
The below images are a reminder of just how quickly things can change.
The first image shows a section of road approximately 1km north of Tokomaru Bay prior to Easter. The second image shows the same section of road on Sunday (17 April).
“It’s important that everyone remembers, day and night, to remain alert for new and unreported hazards and drive to the conditions,” Ms Harris says.
Many sections of SH35 are still down to single lane only in some places, with sections of unsealed road, signs, cones and temporary speed limits while contractors continue repair works.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.
