Repairs to a major underslip on Galatea Road, 3.6km north of the Matahina Dam, will see the closure of the road until at least Tuesday April 24.

The work is also expected to involve delays for motorists for the duration of the project.

Works began on the site this week and are anticipated to be completed towards the end of June, with progress dependent on the weather and ground conditions encountered.

Whakatane District Council transportation manager Martin Taylor says the affected section of road was badly undercut during the major weather event that hit the District in April last year, which reduced access to one lane only.

'Reinstatement of the damaged section will require the construction of a steel post and timber panel infill wall on the western side of the road, together with significant earthworks, road-widening and drainage improvements,” he says.

Due to the extent of the construction work and the need to ensure the safety of contractors and motorists, the section of road under repair will be closed to all traffic for the first stage of the project.

This will require people travelling to and from Galatea and beyond to detour through Tahuna Road, which is the alternate route between Galatea Road and SH30 at Te Teko.

Likewise, traffic travelling to and from Te Mahoe Village and the Matahina Dam will also need to use the detour route.

Martin says the additional traffic volume on Tahuna Road is not expected to create any serious issues, but advises all road users to exercise caution throughout the closure period.

'The Council recognises that these essential repairs will create some inconvenience, particularly for people living or working close to the southern side of the worksite.

'Our contractor, Fulton Hogan, will be working hard to complete the repairs quickly, so that the road can be reopened to the public at the earliest possible opportunity.”