A serious crash north of Dunedin earlier this morning, which has killed one person, is keeping SH1 closed south of Palmerston this afternoon.
A crane is now at the scene, with the Police Serious Crash Unit in attendance, but the highway could be closed into the evening, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Senior Network Manager Chris Harris.
Please note: An earlier traffic bulletin put out by Waka Kotahi (now taken down) said that 50MAX vehicles were able to take the relatively short coastal detour – this is not the case. However, a number of freight vehicles were allowed through SH1 this afternoon when there was a temporary clearance on the highway.
“There is a coastal detour through Karitane, which takes longer than SH1 to reach Dunedin and requires care on its winding areas at Puketeraki. It is only suitable for light vehicles – cars and vans,” says Mr Harris.
“50MAX vehicles and HPMV (High Productivity Motor Vehicles) drivers who do not want to wait at the stop point, should turn inland at Palmerston if they are travelling south onto SH85, into Kyeburn and take SH87 to Mosgiel and Dunedin. Northbound freight vehicles should take the reverse trip.
Drivers of these vehicles will also have to use the inland detour via Kyeburn, if permitted to do so and bear in mind traffic volumes if over-dimension.
“This is 190 kms and is more than two hours in duration. There are fuel stations in Palmerston, Outram, and Mosgiel,” says Mr Harris.
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