The NZ Transport Agency says when the slip repairs are finished a one kilometre northbound passing lane will be reopened, helping ease traffic delays for motorists heading up the hill.
Sealing of the reconstructed road surface near Hautapu Road has been completed this week. There’ll be further work to install new guardrail and finish drainage works adjacent to the south bound lane.
It’s hoped that all works will be finished by mid-December.
'We’re pleased we’re going to have this area fully operational with the passing lane again which will improve travel through this area for our customers in time for the busy summer holiday season,' says Brett Gliddon the Transport Agency’s Northland Highway Manager.
'Fixing this slip has been complex due its location and the soil and ground conditions but we’ve been able to maintain two-way traffic during the bulk of the construction process, which has minimised delays to motorists.'
The original slips occurred during storms late in 2014, but a second slip formed in August 2016. The passing lane and one shoulder have been closed since the original slip, but the state highway has remained open in both directions throughout.
