The NZ Transport Agency is reporting stabilising the slip face of cliffs in the Waioeka Gorge is critical to getting State Highway 2 reopened quickly.

Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says contracting crew have made steady progress with already two-thirds of the slip face relatively stable, however, despite the seven days a week, 12 hours a day operation, there is still a large rocky outcrop that is proving to be difficult and dangerous to dislodge.

A slip at the Waioeka Gorge. Photo: NZTA.

Brett says the winching operation has removed the majority of the logs that make up this rocky outcrop, but that there is still a considerable amount of material consisting of rubble that is still to come down and until then the slip face remains unstable.

'This bulk slip material sits in the middle of the slope face, we still cannot get the machines in yet as it is still unstable to create access to it, our focus continues to be on dislodging the heavy rock and soil material so we can get our machines in to clean up.”

Brett says heavy rain expected to be in the area until Thursday will help to remove smaller slip material, but will not have a major impact on dislodging this rocky outcrop.

Sluicing efforts will continue once the chopper is able to get clear visibility which has been hampered by the consisted heavy rain and wind conditions.

In the meantime, efforts by the NZTA to establish a temporary diversion route are being advanced to provide relief for the region which has been disrupted as a result of the gorge closure.

Brett says the temporary diversion route will provide restricted access around the slip face, once the slope has been stabilised.

'This temporary diversion is not going to provide a cure-for-all situation as there will be significant restrictions on using it, but this is about providing some relief to the region.”

The NZTA continues to encourage motorists to use alternative routes such as State Highway 35 around the East Cape and State Highway 5 through Taupo.