Gisborne State Highways Open For Business

Transit New Zealand Napier Regional Office
21 December 2007

All state highways in and around Gisborne are open and safe for general traffic to use following last night’s earthquake in the region.

There were no slips or landslides on the state highway network, with only minor, superficial damage to one bridge – the Rotokautuku Bridge on State Highway 35 north of Ruatoria.

Transit regional operations manager Gordon Hart said following last night’s earthquake, all state highways and bridges in the region had been checked and cleared for full use by 3am. More detailed bridge inspections will be carried out over the next few days.

He said the state highway network was designed to withstand earthquakes of this size and emergency procedures had worked very well.

“Our focus is now on ensuring the state highway network continues to provide good access in and out of the district as clean-up operations get underway and the busy holiday season starts.”

ENDS

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