Heavy rain causing havoc on roads

Heavy rain is causing havoc on some of the country's main roads.

The Athenree Gorge on State Highway 2 in the Western Bay of Plenty is closed due to a slip.

And, the Karangahake Gorge on State Highway 2 between Waihi and Paeroa is closed due to rising river levels.

Heavy rain warnings for the Coromandel have been issued and are expected to affect the area over the next 24 hours.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is advising motorists to use either State Highway 29 via Tauranga, or State Highway 25-A between Kopu and Hikuai as alternative routes.

Roads that have been affected by the rain.

• The Karangahake Gorge on State highway 2 between Waihi and Paeroa is closed due to rising river levels through the gorge.

• Also on SH2, the Athenree Gorge, which has been closed this afternoon due to a slip, will be opening shortly to one lane. One lane will remain open overnight with work crews beginning the slip clean up tomorrow.

• Motorists are advised to use either SH29 via Tauranga over the Kaimais (for Bay of Plenty motorists) or SH25A between Kopu and Hikuai (for Coromandel motorists) as alternative routes and avoid SH2 until flood waters recede.

• The Uratara Bridge, north of Katikati on SH2 has been down to one lane this afternoon because of rising river levels, but is currently open to two lanes.

• State Highway 26 at the Criterion Bridge, Paeroa is closed due to the Waikato Regional Council closing the flood gates because of rising Ohinemuri River levels. 

• The Tairua River at Hikuai on State highway 25 is being monitored as levels rise as too is the Waihou River on State highway 2 north of Paeroa. 

• High tide at about 10.00pm this evening is likely to affect the Uratara, Criterion and Hikuai Bridges, and could result in further closures of these bridges. Flood warnings have been issued by the Waikato Regional Council.

• On SH2 between Bruce Road and the Domain Road intersection, surface flooding is occurring and a number of potholes have formed in areas which were resealed late last week.