Restoring road access on State Highway 23 (SH23) between Whatawhata and Raglan is urgently underway. This crucial link between Raglan and Hamilton was fully closed on Wednesday last week, following a serious slip on the section known as the Raglan Deviation.
The rain event over the past week has had a significant impact on accessibility across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region, particular over Anniversary weekend.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has begun the work needed to get a clear picture of the full extent of the slip damage to State Highway 25A (SH25A) in the Coromandel, the first step in planning a solution to restore this vital transport link for the region.
Waka Kotahi is urging everyone using roads in affected areas to adjust their driving to the conditions, which means slowing down, increasing following distances, switching headlights on and watching for flooding and other debris on the road.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency continues to advise against non-essential travel in the Coromandel and parts of the East Waikato with road conditions making travel hazardous.
State Highway 23 is still open to one lane this morning, however Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises road users should be prepared that the highway may need to fully close at short notice.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has been undertaking geotechnical assessments in a number of areas where there have been slips onto the road and underneath the road.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency contractors have been working to re-open access across the motu today, although wet weather is set to continue and a number of state highways remain closed.