State Highway 1 Mangamuka Gorge will re-open at 2pm today.

The road has been closed since Tuesday evening, when a large slip came down at the southern end of the gorge. Contractors had been monitoring movement on the hillside following recent heavy rain and the slip was expected.

Contractors have worked over the past 2.5 days to clear soil and vegetation from the slip and secure the hillside.

This morning, concrete barriers were installed in the road shoulder at the slip site to stop any remaining material that may fall during future weather events from reaching the road, minimising the chance of future road or lane closures.

NZTA understands any closure of the gorge is disruptive, especially for freight, local businesses, and communities. However, the geology and varying terrain through the Mangamuka Gorge mean it will always be susceptible to some movement during severe weather, like what we’ve seen over the past 2-3 weeks.

While the risk of major slips through the gorge has been significantly reduced by recently completed recovery works, the area remains susceptible to occasional, less severe slips due to the ground conditions in the Maungataniwha Range.

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience during the closure.

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