SH3 at Awakino reopens after mudslide, delays expected
A lower speed limit is in force on a section of the main highway north of New Plymouth after a large mudslide.
Contractors have been clearing lanes at Awakino on State Highway 3 after the slip happened on Thursday afternoon.
Motorists are being told to expect delays and allow for extra travel time.
Contractors were also clearing several smaller slips on SH3 between Tongapōrutu and Piopio which came down in the wet weather overnight.
NZTA advised motorists to delay travel and avoid the area if possible.
SH1 was the alternative route, and drivers would need to allow for longer travel times.
FINAL UPDATE 4:20PM
SH3 Awakino is now OPEN under STOP/GO traffic management. Take extra care. ^SG
https://t.co/Qivrri5QWB
Mainfreight's New Plymouth branch manager Kayne Newman said having the main route north shut wasn't ideal but it had workarounds in place.
"We're still able to get around the long way go down to Whanganui and come back up, but instead of being able to come down and go back in one run they have to come down here and have their [10-hour] break here and go back the long way."
Newman said trucks that were due to head north stayed in New Plymouth to wait for the road to reopen but freight heading south from Auckland and Hamilton to Taranaki were taking the long way via Whanganui and doubling back up to Ngāmoutu.
The owner of the Awakino Hotel, Sean Jeffares, had been told the mudslide was still moving and that truck drivers didn't expect to be able to head north anytime soon.
"I just heard before from a truckie that apparently the slip is still moving slowly, so they haven't really touched it and it's going to be a while."
Jeffares said the hotel had experienced a spike in booking after the road closed.
"The truckie stayed here last night with a bunch of other truckies probably about five some sleep in their trucks as well and lots of random people and we were busy anyway because of Field Days."
The mudslide that has closed SH3 at Awakino in Waitomo.
Photo:
Supplied / NZTA
Jeffares said had been told there were trucks lined up at the mudslide because they were unable to turn around while motorists were using alternative routes north via Marakopa or turning off toward Ohura before getting to Awakino.
Anna and three colleagues were headed to Auckland from New Plymouth for a conference.
A long day on the road had just got that much longer.
"We turned back at Mōkau and are headed back and going to turn off towards Mt Damper and head north from there."
Photo:
Supplied / NZTA
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