Snow and ice impact upon South Island highways 8.00 am, 5 August 2016

Drivers should be ready for snow and ice on many South Island State Highways this morning, says the NZ Transport Agency. The wider Dunedin area and Palmerston to Gore, is very icy and road users need to take care.

Care is needed on all alpine passes – Arthur’s, Porters, Lewis, Lindis, with no towing vehicles and chains required on Arthur’s and Porter’s currently. Check the Traffic Table or map for updates.

· State Highway 1 north of Dunedin, Pine Hill to Waitati, closed just before 7 am today.

· SH1 Palmerston to Waitati is open but closed to towing vehicles and care required.

· SH93 Mataura to Clinton, Southland, take extra care, snow and ice.

· SH 8 between Tekapo and Fairlie has closed with a truck blocking the highway on Burkes Pass but it may be cleared within the next hour.

· SH8 near Milton in South Otago, Hillend to Manuka Creek, a slip has reduced the highway to one lane with Stop/Go.

· SH87 Middlemarch to Outram closed to towing vehicles.

· SH6 Makarora to Hawea has Stop/Go with rockfall warnings in place. Please travel during daylight hours through this route and build in time.

In Queenstown Lakes District the Crown Range is open and gritted on top of packed snow so care is needed with more snow expected. Other roads in the district are open and gritted. See link for details.

Transport Agency contracting teams in the South Island were on the roads early today snow ploughing and applying grit. Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright says drivers need to drive prepared today, ready for changes in conditions and if the journey is not necessary, think about deferring it.
“Those travelling through alpine passes, Arthur’s, Porters, Lewis, or travelling in the south of the South Island and inland areas like the Mackenzie Basin and Lindis Pass should carry chains and know how to put them on. Chains are for the driver’s and road users’ safety so please ensure you have them and know how to put them on. Allow extra time.”

The MetService has a heavy snow warning for Canterbury, the Mackenzie Basin and Kaikoura hills.

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