A major State Highway connecting Whangamatā with the rest of the country has reopened this morning following a slip last week.
Last week, New World Whangamatā shared a photo of empty bread shelves, saying it was "cut off from the outside world" as bakers scrambled to make fresh products.
In an update this morning, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Whiritoa is now open.
"The work to clear the road is nearly complete and once this is done the site will be examined by a geotechnical specialist to confirm that it is safe for traffic to use.
NZTA said "if there are any signs of instability then the reopening will be put on hold while an assessment is made".
Also this morning, the agency said a 2km long section of stop/go traffic control would be set up on SH25 Pumpkin Hill, north of Tairua.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the possible future of the Mt Maunganui campsite, a notorious murder faces the parole board, and have scientists found a new planet we could live on? (Source: 1News)
"Within this 2km stretch there are sites which have priority give way, however the visibility for these is not ideal. In order to make this section of SH25 safer, the stop/go will remain in place for the foreseeable future while the slips are addressed."
The spokesperson said the focus would move to the ongoing cleanup, which was expected to take some months.
Currently, there are around 20 locations around the Coromandel where SH25 is down to one lane due to slips above or under the road.
"Some of these will be simple to clear however others will need further work to stabilise the slope before the road can reopen to 2 lane traffic," NZTA said.
"Anyone planning to travel to the Coromandel is advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journey and expect to see traffic management and speed restrictions at a number of locations."
NZTA thanked the Coromandel community and visitors for their patience while we go about restoring full access to SH25.
Other East Coast residents remain isolated
During a visit to the community, locals requested the unexpected morale booster, but no financial support was announced. (Source: 1News)
Further along the eastern cape yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited flood-stricken areas, and provided an unexpected "morale booster" with thousands of dollars' worth of KFC.
From a helicopter in the sky, he spoke of the devastation experienced by those on the East Coast.
"There's some real challenges here. These are small, localised communities, deeply, deeply impacted in some ways worse than Gabrielle," Luxon said.
SHARE ME