NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be closing two South Canterbury highways from 8pm tonight, SH73 over Porters Pass, the Canterbury side, closed just before 7pm tonight and on the West Coast strong winds bringing down trees has just closed SH6 between Ross and Harihari.
Both SH80, the Mt Cook/Aoraki highway from Lake Pukaki, and SH8/Burkes Pass between Fairlie and Twizel, were closed this morning but re-opened around lunchtime with patchy snow and seven crews working hard to keep the surface driveable.
“With the wet road, snow still falling and sub-zero road temperatures already on the network we will close SH8 between Twizel and Fairlie through Burkes Pass and SH80 into Mt Cook/ Aoraki from 8pm tonight,” says NZTA System Manager Central South Island Mark Pinner.
Road temperatures are not expected to get above subzero till 10am Wednesday. “The team on site will review and we will reopen earlier if possible and safe to do so,” says Mr Pinner.
With snow falling at Porters Pass on SH73 from this afternoon, in icy conditions between Springfield and Castle Hill, the highway was closed just before 7 pm.
The Lewis Pass, SH7, is the other route linking the West Coast and Canterbury, but people still need to check the traffic map as it could also be affected by snow overnight.
NZTA has closed this section of SH6 this evening with trees falling as strong winds lash the West Coast tonight. Check the traffic and travel pages for updates.
People should check NZTA’s highway map on Journey Planner before setting out around the central and southern South Island, particularly overnight in winter.
