Crews have been working in tough terrain to restore two-lane access at SH3 Awakino Gorge, as well as clearing slips, removing debris and carrying out repairs. The focus this week has been on drainage and culverts.
In a statement, NZTA said that great progress has been made since the state highway was closed between Piopio and Mōkau on 18 April.
While the road is safe for single-lane traffic, there's still considerable damage along the route, including at the significant slip site and multiple underslips along the way. These remain active and vulnerable to weather.
Geotechnical assessments confirm the road is safe to access under controlled convoys. However, NZTA advises that conditions can change quickly, and request that motorists plan ahead and be prepared for the possibility of short-notice closures or pauses to convoys - especially with rain forecast this Friday and Saturday.
If closures are needed, NZTA say they will reopen the road or restart convoys as soon as it is safe to do so.
It’s a big job and there’s still more work to do before they can fully reopen 24/7.
A huge thank you to the roadworkers for their work in these challenging conditions.
Check out the video linked in the comments below to see drone footage of the initial damage, and progress made by road crews cleaning up and repairing the state highway. 👇
