The NZ Transport Agency is continuing to assess the impact of yesterday's earthquake on the state highway network in Canterbury.
State highway 74 in Christchurch city is now closed between Breezes Road and Metro Place, due to a broken sewerage pipe underneath the motorway. This section of motorway will remain closed overnight with single-lane access expected to be restored tomorrow morning.
The Chaney’s Road on-ramp on to State Highway 1 north of Christchurch remains closed, but this does not affect motorway traffic other than that which uses the ramp.
State Highway 77 has now re-opened with a two kilometre detour from Glentunnel to Glenroy where subsidence has occurred. A signposted detour is in place.
All other state highways in the region are usable. Major structures including the Lyttelton Tunnel have been assessed for structural integrity and given the all clear. Key bridges on State Highway 1 over the Ashburton and Rakaia Rivers to the south of Christchurch and across the Waimakariri River north of Christchurch are operational. NZTA Canterbury State Highways Operations Manager Peter Connors says further detailed analysis of bridges and other structures on the state highway network will continue throughout the week.
Mr Connors urged all drivers to take extra care on the region’s roads in the days ahead, while the full impact of the quake is assessed. Information on earthquake damage to state highways in Canterbury will be regularly updated on www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or is available by phoning 0800 44 44 49.
