Highways affected by the recent flooding over Te Waipounamu are now reopening as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency crews clear slips and re-establish single lane access in a few places.
Hard on the heels of this storm, MetService has snow warnings(external link) for alpine passes in the upper South Island/Canterbury high country from later tonight down to 300 metres.
Waka Kotahi crews will maintain patrols over damaged stretches of highway 24/7 in coming days, says Graeme Hall, System Manager, Waka Kotahi. “But we ask drivers to take extra care and only drive if you have to, particularly overnight on these newly opened but still damaged highways.”
There will be surface flooding in places and sections with Stop/Go traffic management now and in coming days and weeks.
The Lindis Pass, SH8, between Tarras and Omarama is reopening at 5.30 pm tonight. The flooding has damaged the highway in many places (see photos below) so drivers are encouraged to take care and remain very alert, particularly overnight.
Lindis Pass storm damage, around 5km south of intersection of SH8 and Birchwood Road (Ahuriri Valley access point), just south of the snow closure gates.
The Haast Pass, SH6, from Lake Hawea in Otago to the top of the Haast Pass on the West Coast reopened this afternoon at 3 pm. As well as removing large trees from the road yesterday and today, a slip occurred overnight at Pleasant Flat overnight and had to be cleared.
Pleasant Flat slip, SH6, earlier this morning
The Aoraki/ Mt Cook highway, SH80, reopened before 2 pm this afternoon. The highway will be closed overnight 6 pm to 7 am.
This road is down to one lane with temporary traffic lights and a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place now.
Access to Nelson from Canterbury via Kaikōura next two days.
People travelling between Nelson and Canterbury will need to take SH1 via Kaikōura for the next two days. Next update is Friday 5pm.
The highway is closed between the Shenandoah highway, SH65/ SH6 intersection and Murchison on SH6 at Dellows Bluff due to rockfall.
State Highway 6 to remain closed because of rockfall risk (Media release, 20 July 2022)
