Potholes and crews attending to potholes and slips will make for a slower journey around Canterbury highways today and into the weekend, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Slips and road dropouts have occurred all over the saturated road network and tree fall risk is high over coming days, says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA in the Central South Island. “Take it easy coming around bends.”

Crews are now in clean-up mode, so drivers are asked to take care around them, particularly as night falls, avoid creating bow waves and stay off the roads if possible. Parts of Christchurch City have potholes needing to be repaired, so please slow down, says NZTA.

People should expect to see temporary speed limits around sites of deep potholes.

• Christchurch City flooding updates: https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/
• Selwyn District updates: https://www.facebook.com/SelwynDistrictCouncil/

SH75 Akaroa highway – closed until water levels start to drop

Closed Birdlings Flat to Little River alongside Lake Forsyth/Te Roto o Wairewa. Updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/canterbury/closures/507845

NZTA is working closely with the Christchurch City Council and Civil Defence and Emergency Management on ensuring SH75 to Akaroa will soon be safe to reopen.

The Akaroa highway yesterday, between Birdlings Flat and Little River, SH75:

SH1 south of Kaikōura

A short section is single lane while a road wash out is being assessed and repaired.

Arthur’s Pass (SH73) and other alpine routes around Tekapo

About 5cm of snow landed near the summit Thursday night. The ice risk remains into the weekend and pre-emptive de-icing will be undertaken by NZTA crews in some places. People should be aware that grit may be spread on likely to ice-up areas of highway this weekend – the start of the winter season with temperatures forecast to get to negative temperatures in some places.

Rivers

Monitoring of rivers continues but all key affected rivers like the Selwyn River/ Waikirikiri have peaked overnight Thursday. Bridges on state highways have been inspected for damage and debris build-up.

• Check before you set out: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions
• Winter driving tips: https://nzta.govt.nz/safety/driving-safely/driving-to-the-conditions/winter-driving

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