Slip cleared - SH2 near Katikati open

Both lanes on State Highway 2 near Katikati are open again after a slip blocked the road earlier today.

The slip came down on SH2 between the two ends of Apata Station Road blocking both lanes just before 10am on Tuesday.

A slip is blocking both lanes of SH2, between the two ends of Apata Station Road.

Traffic was diverted down Wainui South Road and Esdaile Road.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said earlier the slip was about 20metres by 20metres and 6metres deep.

“We’ve got a digger arriving on site and we will start clearing the road and taking a look at trying to establish whether there are any vehicles in there.”

“Obviously there will be some delays, given the diversion route is a fairly narrow, rural road and we ask people who are travelling within those diversion routes to take extreme care because heavy motor vehicles will also be using the route.

Meanwhile, traffic delays are continuing on SH2, near Papamoa, as contractor work to repair flooding damage between Bruce Road and Domain Road.

Roads now open:

Both lanes through the Athenree Gorge are now open but speed restrictions remain in place while slip material is removed from the site.

The Karangahake Gorge is now open after it closed on Monday due to flooding.

State Highway 25 between Thames and Coromandel Town is now open.  Motorists are being cautioned to take care as debris is still being cleared from this stretch of SH25 and the NZTA is continuing to monitor this section closely. 

Roads closed:

A section of State Highway 25 between Coromandel Town and Whitianga is still closed due to a major slip at between Whangapoua and Te Rerenga.

One lane down SH2 near Papamoa is closed between Bruce Road and Domain Road.

Northbound motorists are being diverted down Domain Road, while southbound traffic is being allowed to continue along SH2.

A slip is blocking part of SH2 near Omokoroa.