A critical supply route for Hawke’s Bay has re-opened to freight trucks today, to the relief of some local businesses.
State Highway 5 from Napier to Taupō was extensively damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, with a temporary bypass having to be constructed between Glengarry and Te Pōhue.
The current detour route was via Palmerston North and took five hours one way.
Essential goods like food, livestock and building supplies can now come into town on SH5 in just two hours.
Waka Kotahi’s Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne systems manager Martin Colditz said 30 trucks got through in the first convoy from Taupō to Napier this morning.
