State Highway 30 near Ruato Bay is re-opened to one lane after overnight closures this week to allow investigations to find a solution to stabilise the rock face that collapsed last year.

'The investigation was a success and all the necessary drilling was completed over two nights, a day earlier than expected,” says NZTA's Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon.

'This was due to the safe and efficient work of the drilling team, and good weather.”

The large drilling rig used reached up to 10 metres in depth, obtaining necessary information about the rock foundations below that will help with the design of the new road.

Following the investigation, the next process is for the information to be used in developing a final design and then the work tendered to a contractor to carry out the repairs.

Brett says it is likely the construction work will require full closure of the highway, for periods during the day, over some weeks.

He says the full closure is required due to very limited road and construction space available. The permanent repairs are likely to be underway by late April to July 2013; the road will remain a single lane with signalised lights controlling traffic throughout this period.

'SH30 is an important link between Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty, it is also a key heavy vehicle route to the Port of Tauranga and ensuring the security of this road is vital for the Bay of Plenty's economy.”