Update 5:55am: The Waihenga Bridge reopened just before midnight.
Its closure, due to flooding, lasted approximately 23 and a half hours.
State Highway 53 is now open between Martinborough and Featherston.
4pm update, 19 August
The Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 is still closed with river levels still running above threshold levels.
The Raumahanga River’s levels are being monitored but, with more rain forecast, it is possible the bridge will remain closed overnight.
Further updates will be provided when available.
The highway’s status can be checked on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:
9am update
State Highway 53 remains closed at Waihenga Bridge near Martinborough due to flooding.
The Raumahanga River remains above threshold levels and the bridge cannot reopen until water levels drop.
Current indications are the bridge will remain closed for most of today.
State Highway 53 is closed between Georges Road and Princess Street. Local road detours are available but require extra travel time of 40 to 50 minutes.
Further updates will be provided when the highway’s status changes. Drivers can check road conditions online.
5:20am update
Ongoing wet weather and rising water levels in the Raumahanga River have caused the closure of the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 near Martinborough.
The bridge was closed just after 12:30 this morning.
For safety reasons the bridge is closed to the public when the river level reaches 4.5 metres
It means the highway cannot be used to reach Martinborough until water levels fall and the bridge can be reopened.
Local road detours are available but can add up to an hour to travel times.
Winter driving conditions continue to affect the state highway network across the lower North Island.
Road crews are on duty attending incidents - this includes clearing rock and tree falls on State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill and State Highway 2 Ngauranga to Petone. Surface flooding has also affected urban highways
The Metservice has an overnight Snowfall Warning for the Remutaka Hill. It says flurries may affect the summit but little if any snow is expected to settle on the road.
Further north, flooding has closed State Highway 56 south of Palmerston North between Tane Road and State Highway 57. Drivers must follow posted detours.
The ongoing bad weather means driving conditions remain hazardous. Road users must take extra care on the roads.
Please check road and weather conditions before you travel.
Sunday 2.05pm
Drivers are asked to take extra care on the roads as bad weather hits the lower North Island.
The Metservice has issued multiple weather alerts for the region.
A Heavy Rain Warning is in place for the Tararua Ranges until 10 pm tonight, and a Heavy Rain Watch has also been issued for Wellington.
There is also a Road Snowfall Warning for the Remutaka Hill tonight, with the chance of snow falling near the summit.
In the top of the South Island a Heavy Snow Watch is in force for Marlborough south of State Highway 63 from late tonight until tomorrow (Monday) morning.
The bad weather will affect all state highways in the region.
Motorists must drive to the conditions. Wet roads are slippery roads. Please watch your speed and following distances, avoid sudden braking, and use your headlights if visibility is poor.
Drivers must also be ready for weather-related hazards like slips, rockfalls, and localised flooding.
In bad weather, roads can be closed at short notice. Road users are encouraged to check road and weather conditions before they travel.
