The work to investigate an underslip on Ōropi Rd in Greerton has finished.

Tauranga City Council said this meant the road would reopen in both directions by this morning, with lanes moved away from the slip.

“Staff will now assess options to remediate the underslip and make a plan for those future works. We will share further details when available,” the council said.

“Thanks to everyone for your patience – we acknowledge the impact this closure had on the wider network [on Thursday].”

The closure of the busy commuter road caused traffic gridlock across parts of Tauranga, impacting workers and schoolchildren.

A detour was set up via SH29A, Cameron Rd and Maleme St. The council said the road would reopen if the work was completed ahead of schedule, with remedial work on the slip to take place later.

Ōropi School principal Andrew King told the Bay of Plenty Times the school had “heard nothing” from Tauranga City Council about the planned closure of Ōropi Rd between Maleme St and SH29A.

One bus carrying about 70 students arrived at school at 9.30am, almost an hour later than its usual 8.40am arrival. Another 50 students who were driven by their parents also arrived late.

Other parents said their children got out of their buses and walked to school.

Commuters reported heavy congestion on SH29A, with traffic backed up from the Ōropi Rd roundabout to Baypark.

Tauranga City Council transport system operations manager Shawn Geard said the council received six complaints about SH29A traffic through its contact centre on Thursday morning.

He said the council apologised for an oversight in notifying schools about the closure and processes would be reviewed to prevent a repeat.