A stretch of State Highway 35 between Ōpōtiki and Te Kaha will be down to one lane for six months from April 28, weather permitting, as crews begin repairing slips near Te Kura o Tōrere.

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) team and Waiotahi Contractors will repair two slips, an under-slip below the highway and an over-slip above it.

Stop/go traffic management and speed restrictions will be in place until work finishes in November.

Drivers should allow for delays of five to 10 minutes during construction.

A temporary safety barrier will be installed in the centre of the highway during construction and removed once work is complete.

Slip repairs begin for a safer, more resilient SH35. Photo / supplied

The under-slip will be stabilised before reinforced earth walls are built to secure the over-slip. New drainage systems will improve stability and reduce groundwater pressure, making the area more resilient.

TREC has set up a site office on kura grounds and crews will use the driveway at times, outside busy pick-up and drop-off periods.

The team is collaborating with staff to keep everyone safe during the repairs.

Clear signage and measures will be in place to guide everyone safely through the area. Please follow instructions from the team around construction zones.

Find out more about TREC recovery work: