The NZ Transport Agency is advising that heavy vehicles will not be able to use SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua for at least another week.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is advising that heavy vehicles will not be able to use SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua for at least another week.
SH36 will be partially reopening to light traffic at 4pm this afternoon, but heavy traffic will not be given access to the highway until the weather clears and the road conditions improve.
NZTA’s Bay of Plenty State Highway Manager, Rod James, says an inspection of the highway earlier today raised concerns about the suitability of the route for heavy traffic and a decision was made to restrict the partial reopening of the highway this afternoon to light traffic only.
Mr James says, “The recent heavy rain has made the road quite boggy in places and there is a very real risk that heavy vehicles could get stuck, especially on some of the higher grades. We are not expecting any problems with light traffic.”
Light traffic will be able to use SH36 from 4pm this afternoon, between the hours 4pm to 9am each weekday, and at all times during the weekends.
The highway will, however, remain closed to heavy vehicles until further notice.
For more information please contact:
Julie Hannam
Regional Communications Advisor
NZ Transport Agency
DDI: 07 958 7238
Email: julie.hannam@nzta.govt.nz
