Progress On Roads -Hauraki and Thames Coromandel Districts

NZTA says travel to and from the Coromandel should be possible by tomorrow morning, providing there is no further deterioration on the roading network.

In addition State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi through the Karangahake Gorge should re-open by nightfall, restoring a key route in the East Waikato.

“Contractors have made tremendous progress clearing a large number of slips on State Highway 2 through the Gorge and around State Highway 25, the Peninsula’s key thoroughfare,” says Cara Lauder, Waka Kotahi System Manager for the Waikato.

“It’s a huge job and we’re so proud of our hard working local contractors who are 100 per cent committed to re-opening these roads as soon as possible.

“Coromandel to Thames and Hikuai to Whangamata should have one lane open to vehicles by the morning but extreme caution is advised. The road may still be slippery due to mud from slips. There may still be small amounts of debris on the road. Please follow all direction from our traffic management team and drive to the signposted speed limit,” Ms Lauder says.

Contractors also hope to have the slip at Kūaotunu on SH25 cleared and the highway re-opened there as soon as possible.

“It is Waka Kotahi’s top priority to restore access to isolated communities. We appreciate how frustrating and disabling the road closures are for the Coromandel community and we want to thank everyone for their patience while we’re working to fully re-open the roads, ” Ms Lauder says.