State Highway 3 through Awakino Gorge will be opening 24/7 from this Friday night (22 May). The road, between Mōkau and Piopio will be open under a mix of two-way traffic and stop/go traffic management.
In a press release, NZTA says it's an important step forward after severe weather last month triggered multiple slips, flooding and rockfall through the gorge and closed the road. "We know this news will be welcomed by many in the community and those who regularly use the road. It will make travel easier for local communities, freight and others who rely on this route."
NZTA says they are grateful for community support and for the crews who’ve been working on site since mid April to safely restore that access.
Moving to stop/go traffic management from Friday means access through the gorge will be improved, but restrictions are expected to remain for some time while recovery work continues, in a few areas, including where the biggest slip is currently being ‘benched.’
Expect delays of up to 60 minutes and queues at times. Travel times will vary depending on traffic volumes, work activity and site conditions.
Temporary speed limits and traffic management will remain in place to keep everyone safe while work continues, so this is not yet a return to normal operating conditions.
Up until 5pm on Friday 22 May, access through the gorge will continue to be by convoy only. The table in the comments below sets out convoy times for the rest of the week, which are unchanged from those published last Thursday.
In the statement, NZTA says they are continuing to closely monitor Awakino Gorge and the major slip site using a range of methods and on-site observations. "We have a plan in place to determine how we respond when conditions become riskier than normal, including rainfall Please plan ahead, allow extra time, drive to the conditions, and follow all signs and traffic management."
They say there’s more work to do, especially at the site of the biggest slip. Crews will continue working on the road for some time to come. "Thank you to everyone for your patience while this complex recovery work continues, and thank you to the road workers and specialist crews who have worked hard to restore safer access through the gorge."
