The Takaka Hill road is finally set to open 24/7 from Saturday, six weeks after being blocked by several large slips during ex-cyclone Gita.
Since Gita lashed Takaka and Riwaka on February 20, State Highway 60 into Golden Bay has been reopened only for managed convoys going in each direction at limited times.
Crews have made good progress in getting the hill highway to a state where all drivers will be able to safely use the one-way sections with the aid of Stop/Go signs or traffic lights, says New Zealand Transport Agency system manager Frank Porter.
However, there are narrow sections and all drivers, riders and road users need to be vigilant through winter until the road is back to its more usual width, he said.
Crews will be working on the road leading into winter but will manage traffic on either side of their work sites with manual traffic management.
The aim is to maintain the highway in a safe state through the winter, with permanent road reconstruction and repairs to start in the summer.
The open hours on Takaka Hill for the remainder of this week until the 24/7 opening on Saturday April 7 are 6-8 am and 5-9 pm.
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