Delays on SH2 between Gisborne and Opotiki due to large slip

The NZ Transport Agency says a helicopter carrying a monsoon bucket will drop thousands of litres of water above State Highway 2 (SH2) in the Waioeka Gorge today to help clear a major slip that is blocking most of the road.

The highway, which links Gisborne and Opotiki was closed at 5.30pm yesterday after a large amount of rocks and other material came down.

The slip, which occurred at the halfway point in the gorge, has also brought down a section of steel rock fall fence which will have to be cut up before it can be removed.

The Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty highways manager, Niclas Johansson says Transport Agency contractors have worked hard to clear a small part of the road so that traffic can be let through however people should expect lengthy delays if travelling in the area.

“Our contractors have been working since early this morning to clear enough of a lane that we can let people through however it is under stop/go traffic management and there will be closures at times as the contractors need the space to continue clearing the slip," he says.

"People should expect delays of up to 30 minutes if they are travelling through."

Another update will be sent out at 1pm today.

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