Coromandel's State Highway 25 expected to be back to two lanes early this year according to NZTA.

The damage along State Highway 25 between Thames and Manaia has now been assessed and the Transport Agency has developed a programme which aims to complete the final repair work by the end of March, weather permitting.

Over the next month the focus will be on repairing and strengthening the approximately 10km of sea protection wall that was damaged during the storm.

NZTA Waikato Transport System Manager Karen Boyt says the damage was extensive and requires a significant amount of work.

'It was an excellent result to have the road open to one lane so quickly after the storm for residents and people who want to visit the Coromandel. Now work needs to continue to get the road open to two lanes.

'Every effort has been made to ensure this section of State Highway 25 remains open while this repair work is carried out. But drivers should continue to check our website or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS before they travel and expect lengthy delays with stop/go traffic control and speed restrictions at a number of sites,” says Karen.

Once the work is complete in early to mid-March delays to travel on SH25 should be reduced, as more of the road will be returned to two lanes.

The final stage of work during the remainder of March will involve rebuilding the road pavement and laying the road surface.

The programme aim is to complete the work as quickly as possible and because of this vehicles over five tonnes will be unable to use SH25 between Te Puru and Manaia until the repairs are finished.

These vehicles will need to continue taking the alternative route via SH25A from Kopu and SH25 on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula.

While the road is being repaired the Transport Agency is also looking at what work can be done to make it more resilient to future storm events.