State Highway 2 at Waiotahe is now partially open under stop/go, following a large slip that fully blocked the road Friday evening.

Police and contractors responded to the incident on SH2 Waiotahe Beach Rd, in the Ōpōtiki District, after the slip occurred on Friday evening.

The road was initially fully blocked between Waiotahi Valley Back Rd and Paerata Ridge Rd.

“The lane closure was required due to pavement cracking, which is extending around 200mm from the edge line currently, but likely to worsen when there’s more wet weather,” NZTA’s System Manager for the Bay of Plenty, Sandra King, said.

“High levels through the Tauranga River following heavy rainfall has caused the underslip. A geotech team is investigating further and their findings will inform our remediation plan.

“The road is currently under 24 hour traffic management, but traffic lights will be installed soon,” King said.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area or expect delays, as diversions were put in place for both southbound and northbound traffic.

The slip, caused by saturated ground following several weeks of heavy rain, left debris covering both lanes.

Contractors worked overnight and into Saturday morning to begin clearing the site.

As of Saturday, one lane has reopened under stop/go traffic management. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place while crews continue to clear the remaining debris.

Waka Kotahi also reminds drivers that SH2 remains reduced to one lane through the Waimana Gorge because of an underslip, and to drive with extra caution in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.