Drivers on the Alternate Route between Picton and Christchurch will be detoured to Reefton this morning and possibly this afternoon after a two-truck crash on SH65, the Shenandoah Highway, earlier today. The detour adds another hour-and-a-half to the overall journey.
State Highway 65 between O’Sullivans bridge and Springs Junction has been closed. Southbound traffic is being detoured at O’Sullivan’s Bridge, south of Murchison, onto SH6, then SH69 at Inangahua, then SH7 at Reefton through to Springs Junction. Northbound traffic is being diverted in the reverse direction, says Tresca Forrester, Transport Agency Journey Manager.
“Due to the weather, please take extra care, drive to the conditions and allow plenty of time to help keep everyone safe on the road,” she says.
Truck recovery will be happening later this morning but people should keep an eye on updates on this SH65 closure(external link)
View interactive map(external link)
Flooding of the Mason River, on the inland road to Kaikōura (Route 70) via Waiau and Mt Lyford, closed this route to Kaikōura last night. The closure is continuing today with traffic able to use State Highway 1 via Cheviot to get to Kaikōura. The road is open to Mt Lyford with the slips starting four km to the north of Lyford.
The Mason River, which normally runs at six cubic metres of water per second (cumecs) on the inland road (Route 70 via Waiau and Mt Lyford), peaked last night at the Lottery junction at 236 cumecs. It is now dropping and was at 197 cumecs at 7am this morning.
Geotechnical crew are on site along Route 70 as there have been rockfalls and additional clean-up is underway for minor slips north of Mt Lyford. It is expected that this road north of Mt Lyford will remain closed throughout Tuesday. Thanks to all drivers for being patient on the State Highway 1 route into Kaikōura, which is also fragile, says Ms Forrester.
View interactive map(external link)
