Section of highway still closed after slip
State Highway 43 near Taumarunui remains closed to traffic after a major slip.
In an emailed statement, New Zealand Transport Agency transport system manager Mark Owen said the slip first occurred on September 14 and there had been subsequent deterioration caused by mass land movement, possibly due to land saturation.
‘‘We are working hard to get the road reinstated as quickly as possible but due to the size and nature of the slip we expect the road to remain closed for several weeks.’’
People are also reminded not to attempt to use the closed section of road. Geotechnical engineers have assessed the area and found it to be very unstable. Attempting to drive across the drop out area is extremely dangerous as the road could slip away further, Owen said.
The highway is closed to through traffic at Tunnel Hill, Oukopae, 23km west of Taumarunui, he said.
Owen said the road was only closed to through traffic at Oukopae, so popular Forgotten World Highway destinations, such as Whangamomona, were still accessible. These could be accessed as normal if travelling from Stratford or via the detour route if travelling west. Businesses located north of the road closure can be accessed from Taumarunui, Owen said.
When travelling north along SH43 to Taumarunui, motorists should follow the signposted detour along Mangaparo Rd, Ohura Rd and Okahukura Saddle Rd onto State Highway 4 to Taumarunui.
Owen said those travelling south should turn off SH4 onto Okahukura Saddle Rd, then Ohura Rd and Mangaparo Rd onto SH43.
This detour adds at least 40 minutes to the journey between Taumarunui and Stratford.
Previously, National Road Carriers executive member Tom Cloke said the closure was another blow to the rural community.
He said King Country was slowly getting cut off by big slips and more regular maintenance was needed to prevent those slips occurring.
The maintenance was ‘‘reactive, and not proactive’’, he said when news the road had been closed to all through traffic earlier this month.