Rimutaka Hill Road closed due to snow and ice

The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that State Highway 2 Rimutaka Hill Road is currently closed.

“We will be keeping an eye on the weather and road conditions and will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so,” Mark Owen, Regional Performance Manager, NZ Transport Agency says.

“We working hard to get the road open again today, but conditions are changing rapidly so please check before you travel. We’ll keep our website and social media channels updated, and electronic signs on both sides of the Rimutaka Hill Road will let motorists know of the current road status.”

“The MetService has advised us to expect further snow flurries through the rest of the day up to midnight. As the situation is changing, people travelling between Wellington and Wairarapa on the Rimutaka Hill Road should make contingency plans, which could include delaying travel, or taking the train. There is a detour route available, but at three hours, it adds considerably to journey time,” Mr Owen says.

“Even once the road is re-opened, we are reminding motorists to continue to take extra care as cold weather may continue to contribute to challenging driving conditions for the next couple of days. Drivers should reduce their speed and increase their following distances between vehicles.”

Motorists can get real time information from:

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

• www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

• www.facebook.com/NZTAwgtn

• www.twitter.com/NZTAwgtn

For information about the MetService severe weather watch visit www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-watch

The Transport Agency’s Winter Journeys website www.nzta.govt.nz/winter-journeys brings together tips on winter driving and links to get updates on the latest weather and road conditions.

© Scoop Media