UPDATED: Many state highways closed – extreme caution urged on roads

The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that several state highways throughout the country are closed due to the extreme weather conditions. Although road crews are working hard in difficult conditions to clear snow from key routes, some roads unlikely to re-open today.

Heavy snow, sleet and high winds are making conditions treacherous throughout the country. Motorists are urged to avoid all but urgent travel and to exercise extreme caution if they do need to drive.

Heavy snowfalls have closed most state highways in Southland and Central Otago, and some may remain closed all day. Current closures and restrictions in the area include:

SH1: Gore to Clinton – closed

SH 1 Waitaki Bridge to Dunedin - closed

SH 1 Dunedin to Gore - closed

SH6: Kingston to Five Rivers -closed

SH6: Five Rivers to Dipton -chains required no towing vehicles.

SH93: Mataura to Clinton - closed

SH94: Gore to Lumsden - chains essential, closed to towing vehicles

SH94 Mossburn to Te Anau - closed to towing vehicles, carry chains

SH94 Te Anau to Hollyford Turnoff - closed to towing vehicles, carry chains

SH94 Hollyford Turnoff to Milford - closed

SH97: Five River to Mossburn - chains essential closed to towing vehicles

SH 8 Raes Jnc to Milton - closed

SH 85 Palmerston to Kyeburn - closed

SH 87 Mosgiel to Kyeburn - closed

SH 8 Alexandra to Roxburgh - chains required

SH 8 Roxburgh to Raes Jnc - open care required

Other South Island closures include SH75 and SH1 in North Canterbury, with chains essential on the Canterbury side of SH7.

Conditions are also treacherous in many parts of the North Island, with the SH2 Rimutaka Hill Road closed and unlikely to reopen today due to heavy snowfall. SH2 is also closed between Wairoa and Gisborne. Also closed are SH1 the Desert Road (with the alternate route from Waiouru to Taihape also closed), SH5, and SH35 closed due to a washout at the Koparoa Bridge #3.

As snow is still falling in may areas, the situation on the ground remains fluid and conditions can change rapidly. A further update on highway conditions will be provided at 4pm.

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