State Highway 36, between Tauranga and Rotorua, will be fully closed during the day for the next two weeks between Mangorewa Gorge and Hamurana.

After heavy rain in 2023, an underslip developed about 500 metres south of the Mangorewa track carpark, NZTA says a statement released about the road closure.

Geotechnical investigations are complete, and slip repairs on two worksites started on Monday, August 5.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises that work will take about six weeks to complete, weather permitting, and that road users should plan ahead.

The first two weeks of work require daytime closures Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm between Pyes Pā roundabout and Hamurana.

Access during this time will be for residents only. Outside of these hours, one lane will be closed with stop/go traffic lights in place, says a spokesperson for the roading agency.

A 40m section of the verge has collapsed into the valley below on SH36 at Mangorewa Kaharoa Gorge.

The following four weeks of work will require permanent stop/go traffic management, says NZTA.

“Contractors will be cutting into the bank to realign the road. This work requires a large amount of heavy machinery, and the daytime closures are required to keep the travelling public and workers safe.”

Following the initial two-week closure, two more slips will be repaired about 200m south of Te Waerenga Rd.

NZTA says this will involve retaining and rehabilitating the existing road.

“During this work, there will be permanent stop/go traffic management in place.

“Crews will be undertaking maintenance works in addition to the slip repairs, to make the most of the traffic management in place.”

During the full closure, the detour for all vehicles travelling between Pyes Pā Road and Hamurana will be via SH29A, SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (or Te Puke Highway), continuing to SH33 through Paengaroa, then SH30 and SH30A through Rotorua, turning right onto SH5 and rejoining SH36 at Ngongotahā.

NTZA appreciates road users’ understanding while this vital work to repair the highway is being completed.

- SunLive