State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge remained closed yesterday following the extension of the Orange Heavy Rain Warning until 6pm last night.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said once the weather warning had been lifted, it would fully inspect and clear the road.

It said this could be safely done only during daylight hours.

“Our crews and geotechnical experts will be on site at first light [this morning] to fully inspect and clear the road,” Waka Kotahi said yesterday.

“There are two sites in particular that we’ll be paying attention to – Goldsmith Slip and the Rockfall Rockfill site where rocks and debris have fallen on the road.”

No convoys are being escorted through the gorge during this closure,” NZTA said yesterday.

“Closing the gorge isn’t a decision that we make lightly, as we know how important this lifeline is.

“We use a safety plan called a Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) to help us take early action when weather conditions become riskier than normal on state highways.”

This was based on factors such as rainfall and wind, ground conditions, and monitoring equipment data, and will.

This will happen under an orange or red weather warning issued by MetService and the road will be proactively closed until conditions are considered safe.

The Orange Heavy Rain Warning forecast 60 to 100mm of rain on top of what had already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 20mm/h were expected, but 25 to 40mm/h in possible localised downpours.

“Since we proactively closed the gorge [on Monday], more rocks and debris have fallen on the road, heightening dangerous conditions.

“Closing the road is the best way to keep all road users safe.”