Progress on the detour round the Maraenui Bluff slip on the East Cape road, State Highway 35, has been slowed by rain, but the road is holding up well, says New Zealand Transport Agency Bay of Plenty state highway manager Rod James.

Progress to fix State Highway 35 is slow.

"This week's rain has brought down a few small slips which slowed down progress, but contractors are working as hard as they can to get the detour ready for 24 hours a day access," says Rod.
"All going well the road will be ready to be open full time next week, but we'll confirm this on Friday."
Heavy vehicles have had access over the detour since Monday and the route is holding up well, says Rod. A 30km/h speed restriction remains on the steep and windy detour and extreme care is needed. It adds about 10-15 minutes travel time.
This week NZTA has restricted heavy vehicle use. It is closed to heavy vehicles from 9am until noon and from 2pm till 6pm to allow work to continue.
During the closures light vehicles are diverted onto the highway, an option not available for heavy vehicles.
NZTA is hoping the detour will be open 24 hours a day to all vehicles from 11 September. There is a 30km/h speed restriction on the steep and windy detour and extreme care is needed. It will add 10-15 minutes travel time.
The NZTA thanks road users for their patience during this time and acknowledges the huge effort put in by contractors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Updates can be found on the NZTA's road condition website: www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/