Take care on Opito Bay Road

Motorists are being advised to take extreme care if travelling near Opito Bay east of Kerikeri over the next eight weeks while repairs are carried out to a major slip.

A contract has been let to Transfield Services (NZ) Ltd to repair the under-slip on Opito Bay Road near the Rowsall Lane junction. Work started this week on the $250,000 repair job which follows heavy rain and flooding on the east coast in January.

The work includes a major retaining wall, drainage and earthworks.

Roading and Drainage Manager Richard Green said today the road through the construction zone would remain open, but only to one way traffic. People travelling through the area were likely to experience some delays until repairs had been completed.

"We are asking for motorists to take care and to heed the signs and directions from traffic control staff while the work is in progress. It is anticipated the work will be completed in about eight weeks, weather permitting," he said.