Waka Kotahi contractors are beginning the hard work of re-connecting South Island communities cut off by this weekend’s
massive weather event as flood waters begin to recede.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Tresca Forrester says crews have been out since first light assessing
road damage, inspecting bridges and clearing debris from blocked and flooded highways.
Access to some cut-off communities such as Westport and through to Golden Bay has been re-established, with the SH67
Buller Bridge, SH60 from Collingwood to Riwaka and SH6 from Hira to Rai Valley all re-opened (Rai Valley to Renwick
remains closed).
The following roads remain closed:SH1 Picton to Spring Creek - FloodingSH6 Renwick to Rai Valley – Flooding and slipsSH6 Motupiko to Kohatu - FloodingSH6 Inangahua to Westport - High river levelsSH6 Murchsion to Inangahua - FloodingSH63 Renwick to St Arnaud - FloodingSH65 Shenandoah to SH6 - Flooding and slipsSH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) - SlipSH7 Springs Junction to Reefton – Slip
Ms Forrester says all available resource is being applied to re-open closed roads as quickly as possible.
“Contractors are aiming to re-open SH1 by midday and we expect to re-open a route through to Nelson by the end of the
day via SH6 and SH65. We are also assessing flood damage on SH7 north of Hanmer this morning which completes this
critical link.”
Ms Forrester says until the full scale of the damage caused by the massive floods is known it’s too early to say with
certainty when other closed roads will re-open.
She is also urging anyone driving in the region to take extra care and be aware that they are likely to encounter
surface water and debris on some re-opened roads, with many operating with lane restrictions or under temporary lower
speed limits.
“With the massive rainfall we’ve just experienced, many areas will remain highly susceptible to slips, or to further
flooding if the rain returns. Please keep safe and take extra care out on the roads today.”
The following South Island highways are being closely monitored by contractors.SH60 Takaka Hill - slipSH6 Murchison to Nelson – Surface FloodingSH6 west of Murchison – Slips and surface floodingSH6 Hokitika to Fox Glacier – Surface FloodingSH6 Fox Glacier to Haast - Surface FloodingSH77 Mount Hutt – Surface Flooding
The latest information on state highway conditions, updated regularly throughout the day, is available at: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/trafficPlan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
· Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/trafficFacebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthislandTwitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTotSTwitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWCJourney planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nzPhone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)