Work underway to clear slip near Opotiki

Another slip at the same site earlier this year.

Motorists are being advised to take extra care on State Highway 2 near Opotiki while crews work to clear a large slip.

The slip occurred in the early hours of this morning at the Waiotahi bluff. A detour is in place adding around 15 minutes to the journey.

NZTA Bay of Plenty Transport System Manager, Rob Campbell, says crews are working from both sides of the slip to remove the debris from the road.

'The slip was covering the road and had almost reached the beach but we are making good progress and, weather and further slippage permitting, we expect to be able to open the road late this afternoon. People should check our website, social media or phone the 0800 number before travelling to ensure the road is open.

'If you need to travel through this area please take extra care and expect delays,” Mr Campbell says.

The slip is the second to have occurred at the same site within a matter of months, and follows another which happened in March when a slip came down on an elderly woman in a blue hatchback vehicle.

The current detour it is not suitable for heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicle drivers are asked to travel through Rotorua or Taupo to Napier.

All road users are also advised to drive with extra caution and prepare for delays on State Highway 35 between Opotiki and Gisborne due to multiple slips and drop-outs. The road is reduced to one lane at several locations, particularly between Hawai and Omaio.

A woman's car was completed covered by a slip in March.

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