Months to reopen hill route

It could take months before the Takaka Hill Road resumes normal service, the Transport Agency says.

While one lane was opened yesterday, the job of clearing slips and rebuilding entire sections of road would extend into winter as the aftermath of Cyclone Gita became all too apparent.

Access to Golden Bay and the about 5000 people who live there has been re-established with a twice-daily convoy, one at 7am, the other at 5pm, taking freight and light vehicles in both directions across the single lane that had been established around and over countless slips. Starting at 5pm tonight, those towing caravans and boats would also be allowed across.

The Transport Agency’s Frank Porter said now that access had been re-established, attention would turn to making long term repairs to the road.

All he could say at this stage was that work would take months and would stretch in to winter.

The Transport Agency said those wanting to visit the area should still make the trip, with this caveat: “All we’re saying is you might not get out on the day that you planned to get out.”