Waka Kotahi has confirmed that night-time closures of SH2 between Gisborne and Wairoa have been lifted and the road will now be open to the public on a 24/7 basis.
Waka Kotahi says contractors in Gisborne are putting in a huge effort to open up critical transport lifelines to allow essential goods and services to reach isolated communities.
Waka Kotahi contractors have worked tirelessly since Cyclone Gabrielle struck Aotearoa early this week to re-open crucial transport lifelines and reconnect isolated communities.
Two ‘gateway’ sculptures – formally opened today at each end of Ōtaki as part of the State Highway 1 Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway (PP2Ō) project north of Wellington – will attract attention to the township and encourage people to exit the new expressway to visit.
State highway links in several areas of the North Island are re-opening as floodwaters recede and slip debris is cleared, but Waka Kotahi is urging people only to travel where and when necessary, and asking those who are travelling to use caution and allow extra time for journeys with restrictions still in place in many areas.
Last night Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency restored access to areas of the Coromandel when State Highway 25 reopened from Thames to Matarangi around the east coast, but this is for essential travel only and extreme caution is advised.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists to plan ahead for potential travel disruption and road closures in the Greater Wellington region as consistent rainfall and high winds are expected in the next 24 hours.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is strongly urging people to avoid all non-essential travel in the Upper North Island, with several state highways and local roads closed due to downed trees, slips and flooding.