The Lindis Pass, SH8, between Tarras and Omarama, will remain closed overnight with fresh snow falling and several areas of slips and flooding, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“People are best to delay travel until tomorrow and then check their routes,” says Graeme Hall, System Manager for Waka Kotahi. “There are a number of local/council-managed road closures in place also so people need to check their council facebook pages and updates.
The Lindis Pass closure will be reviewed at midday on Wednesday.
SH 8 Omarama to Tarras (Lindis Pass)(external link)
North of Omarama to Twizel, SH8, is also staying closed overnight due to flooding and will be reviewed at midday Wednesday.
SH 8 Omarama to Twizel(external link)
SH83 Omarama to Kurow remains closed with significant flooding at Otematata township.
SH 83 Omarama to Kurow(external link)
The alternative route between Otago and Canterbury is SH85 (Palmerston to Kyeburn and Alexandra, called the Pig Route) and SH1. People need to take care on this route as there is surfacing flooding and potholes/pavement damage from recent flooding and snow. Please note, more snow overnight may also affect access. Check Waka Kotahi Journey Planner first.
Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)
Accommodation in places like Twizel, Fairlie and Tekapo is booking up with the arrival of travellers stalled by the closures of the inland routes. People are advised to pause on their trips earlier and ensure they have somewhere to stay the night before they get there.
Snow is falling this afternoon on SH8, Burkes Pass, between Twizel and Fairlie. Travellers are warned to expect snow clearing on the highway and the possibility this road may also close at some point. Check Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)
The Aoraki/ Mt Cook Road, SH80, is staying closed overnight with a big liquid slip 2km south of Glentanner continuing to cover the highway as the rain keeps falling. Next update Wednesday.
SH 80 Between Ben Ohau and Mount Cook(external link)
“Crews are working to clear the material, but rain is keeping the flows coming with a significant amount of material needing to be trucked away,” says John Keenan, Maintenance Contract Manager for Waka Kotahi in South Canterbury.
“We will do our best Wednesday to get a single lane to Aoraki/ Mt Cook re-established.”
The mobile, liquid slip covering the road to Aoraki/ Mt Cook near Whale Stream, south of Glentanner:
SH6 Lake Hawea, Otago, north to Haast: Closed today and overnight due to fallen trees, flooding and strong winds. Next update 9 am Wednesday.
SH 6 Haast to Lake Hawea(external link)
Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)
Rakaia Gorge, SH77, Mid Canterbury – closure with a detour around washed out highway
A washout has closed the highway just south of Blackford Road, however a local detour is in place.
SH 77 Mount Hutt, between Blackford Road and Mt Hutt Station Road(external link)
SH1 – east coast highway linking key river bridges
Waka Kotahi teams are closely monitoring river flows at key bridges – the Ashburton/Hakatere (see detail below), Rakaia, Rangitata and Pareora. Waka Kotahi is working closely with the Ashburton and Timaru District Councils around these key rivers and bridges.
SH1 Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge – open
The Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge is open and is being closely monitored for flows and for upstream debris.
So far, no significant debris has accumulated and the river flows are under half the mid-2021’s flood.
The river is currently close to 700 cubic metres per second flow. (As a comparison, in the 2021 flood it reached more than 1500 cubic metres per second.)
ECan flow data for this river(external link)
Photo taken earlier today of the Ashburton River/ Hakatere:
SH94 into Milford Sound Piopiotahi opened after lunch today with avalanche clearing this morning. After 6 pm, chains are needed with snow likely near the Homer Tunnel.
SH 94 Te Anau to Milford, between Hollyford and Donne River (external link)
Waitaki District Council advice on bridge/road closures eg Lake Ohau Road and boil water notices:
Waitaki District Council Facebook(external link)
Waitaki District Council Flooding, Slips, Washouts, Boil Water Notices(external link)
