Update on Takaka Hill, SH60, convoys Sunday 25 February and plan for week coming

The Takaka Hill Road, State Highway 60, will be opening on Sunday to a single lane to allow escorted convoys of vehicles in and out of Golden Bay.

The NZ Transport Agency is aiming for vehicles to be able to convoy across the hill from 9am to 5pm on Sunday for essential travel, subject to a final engineering inspection in the morning.

• The following will not be permitted to travel over the route, given the road condition: Pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles towing caravans, boats or trailers, truck and trailer units or over-dimension units.

• Only one direction will be allowed to travel at a time so people should expect long wait times between convoys and come prepared with food, water.

• If conditions deteriorate, the road will be closed.

Beyond Sunday, the road will have to be closed so crews can continue with repair works. “We are aiming to provisionally open the road for a limited period at 7.00 am and again at 5.00pm each day to allow for essential travel, subject to weather and the condition of the road,” says Frank Porter, Transport Agency System Manager.

Parking and waiting areas on both sides
There will be waiting areas on both the Takaka and Riwaka sides of the hill. Crews will be checking the types of vehicles and people’s need to travel. Vehicles that are able to travel in a convoy will be directed to a waiting area and those unable to travel over the hill will be redirected to a safe location to turn around.

“We ask that people be patient as the wait could be several hours and if we are to provide travel on Sunday, please don’t take your frustrations out on the crews working on site.”

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