The NZ Transport Agency says one lane is to open on State Highway 25A in Coromandel this evening but further closures will be needed to get the road cleared as quickly and safely as possible.
Work on the slip below the road on State Highway 35 at Raukokore is now expected to start Tuesday (25 July) after crews were diverted to help with reopening the highway at the Waioeka Gorge.
The NZ Transport Agency says $231 million in funding announced today by Transport Minister Simon Bridges to improve the 60km section of State Highway 1 between Clarence and Oaro will increase safety, resilience, reliability, access and amenity and provide a higher level of service on the road for people living in the area and visitors to the region.
The Transport Agency is advising that a large new slip has fallen on the Manawatū Gorge, which has been closed since late April following two other significant slips.
New traffic signals at the intersection of State Highway 14 and Hospital Road in Whangarei are improving safety for motorists and pedestrians and making it easier for all road users to move through the area.
While many highways have reopened since yesterday’s peak of the storm, in Otago and South and Mid Canterbury ice has replaced flood water on many routes. Drivers need to take extreme care. Grit has been applied in many places which also requires slower speeds, says Nic Rodger, Maintenance Contract Manager, NZ Transport Agency.
People are advised that essential travel only is advised today on highways and roads of Otago and Canterbury, south of Christchurch. Highways are slowing reopening in Otago with SH1 just reopened north of Dunedin.
People are advised to avoid travel on highways and roads of Otago and Canterbury, south of Christchurch, today with highways closed all over Otago and parts of State Highway 1 closed south of Christchurch with the Selwyn River overtopping its banks this morning.
The NZ Transport Agency is making good progress on a large slip on State Highway 4, Whanganui to Raetihi route, however access has only been restored for light vehicles up to the Fields track intersection. From Fields track to Raetihi, the road is closed other than for local property access.
The NZ Transport Agency is urging drivers to consider delaying journeys south of Christchurch or north of Dunedin today, with significant flooding on SH1 and local roads in South Canterbury and along SH1 Coastal Otago from Timaru to Dunedin.
The NZ Transport Agency is reminding drivers to slow down and take extra care on South Island roads today with heavy overnight and morning rain causing surface flooding throughout Tasman, Marlborough, Kaikoura coast, and mid and south Canterbury.
The NZ Transport Agency is currently assessing a large slip on State Highway 4, which is set to keep the Whanganui to Raetihi route closed until late tomorrow, and possibly longer.