Kaimai route set to open

State Highway 29 at Ruahihi is expected to be reopened tomorrow.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are set to conduct a final inspection tomorrow morning on State Highway 29 at Ruahihi Bluffs, after the blasting work to remove a column of unstable rock was successfully completed on Saturday.

This section of SH29, just west of Tauranga (over the Kaimais), reopened to one lane late Saturday afternoon after the work was completed ahead of schedule.

This meant NZTA did not need to close the road on Sunday as planned.

NZTA's Bay of Plenty state highway manager, Brett Gliddon, said the cliff would be reassessed tomorrow after the forecasted rain for today dispersed, as it was likely that some minor residual material may be washed out by the wet weather.

"This is just a precautionary measure, to allow any small material to come down naturally and we can then inspect the cliff again to ensure that there are no other unstable areas before reopening both lanes some time tomorrow."

Mr Gliddon wants to thank drivers, local businesses and residents for their patience and support during the Ruahihi works over the last two weeks.

He said the agency had been very humbled by the understanding shown by those who had been inconvenienced in some way.

For latest road information, visit www.nzta.govt.nz or ring 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).