The NZ Transport Agency has again extended the opening hours at the Diana Falls slip site on State Highway 6 through Haast Pass.
From today (Tuesday 9 September), the highway will be open an hour longer at the end of the day, says the Transport Agency’s Regional Performance Manager Pete Connors.
“With daylight hours getting longer, the highway will now be open daily from 8am to 6pm.
“Traffic will be released at the remote road blocks at Haast township and Makarora at 7.30am; the highway being closed each day at 5pm at Haast township and 5.30pm at Makarora.”
He says the longer hours are important for the local economy with the 2014/15 tourism season about to get into full swing.
Opening hours through the site will again be reviewed at the end of this month with the start of Daylight Saving.
Night-time closures, from 6pm to 8am, will remain until the slip protection works are completed, which is now expected to be later in October.
Mr Connors says in the last three weeks, works are the site have not progressed as quickly as originally hoped.
"Since our contractors put the first post in for the second rockfall protection fence mid last month, they have experienced a number of issues in getting the remainder of the lateral anchor posts for this fence secured at the site.
"The Diana Falls slip sits on fractured rock, therefore it is important we take the time to find the most secure anchor sites to ensure the greatest protection is achieved with the rockfall fences.
"We know this delay will be frustrating for the community but we thank everyone for their support to date and ask for their continued patience as we complete this work in the next few weeks and get the highway fully re-opened in time for the busy summer tourism season," he says.
For more information please contact:
Jan McCarthy
Media Manager - Christchurch
T: 64 3 964 2885
M: 021 427 442
jan.mccarthy@nzta.govt.nz
