MEDIA RELEASE

8 July 2016 | CENTRAL REGION

Manawatu Gorge reopened but expect delays

The Manawatu Gorge is now open again following an incident this morning where a truck went off the road and into the river.

The Gorge will be under temporary traffic management overnight, with the road near the crash site reduced to one lane and controlled by traffic lights.

“Emergency services have rescued the driver but the truck remains in the river. We are waiting for the weather conditions to settle before it is safe to get a crane on to the site to remove the truck. The truck recovery operation will require further road closures and we will inform people via our website, social media channels, and electronic variable messaging signs at Ashhurst and Woodville,” Ross I’Anson, Acting Highway Manager, NZ Transport Agency says.

“We encourage people to plan ahead if travelling through the Gorge over the next couple of days. Regularly updated information is available from the Transport Agency’s traffic and travel information section on its website, from the Transport Agency’s Central North Island Twitter account @NZTACNI andFacebook page, or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49),” Mr I’Anson says.

“When the road is closed for recovery, there are two alternative routes which are Saddle Road or the Pahiatua Track. We appreciate people’s patience while we deal with this unexpected incident.”

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