MEDIA RELEASE

13 September 2016 | SOUTHERN REGION

Meybille Bay slip update – SH6 anticipated reopening Wednesday morning

The highway connecting Punakaiki, north of Greymouth, with Westport will reopen at 7 amtomorrow morning (14 September), providing there are no further instability issues overnight, says the NZ Transport Agency.

A fresh rockfall on the north side of the slip this morning slowed down rock removal and delayed the road reopening.

“Contracting teams have worked hard to clear a path and it is anticipated the road will be opened to single lane traffic from 7 am tomorrow,” says NZ Transport Agency Regional Performance Manager Pete Connors.

A bund has been constructed to protect road users going through the site. This means the road will be under single lane for at least four weeks. “There is good line of sight across the area of the slip but drivers need to exercise caution and give way,” says Mr Connors.

Crews will be tidying up around the site for the next few days so there may be some short delays also. Drivers should build in extra time for their journeys.

Helicopters were again sluicing the slip site this afternoon and into the early evening.

The Transport Agency thanks all road users and the affected communities for their patience during this disruption on State Highway 6.

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